The Palestinian Authority and Israel have independently reached the same conclusion that the European Union should distance itself from Hamas-controlled Gaza. Israel has barred a Belgium official from visiting Gaza, and the Fatah-led PA has warned EU representatives not to try to help reconcile difference between it and the rival Hamas government.
Hamas representative Abdel Aziz Dwaik last week met with British millionaire David Martin Abrahams, who said he was on a mission to “facilitate dialogue between Hamas and the international community." He was reported to have said that Hamas has agreed to recognize Israel based on the 1949-1967 borders, but later said he was misquoted.
PA officials in Ramallah warned that EU intervention would give legitimacy to the de facto Hamas government in Gaza and could undermine its own attempts to reach an agreement with Hamas.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon barred Belgian Development Minister Charles Michel from visiting Gaza. Ayalon said that the visit would have helped legitimize Hamas. "We allow humanitarian assistance to enter Gaza, including food and medication, but we will not allow political visits that bolster Hamas," Ayalon stated.
Belgium protested his decision as “unacceptable," and Michel said he would bring up the issue with the EU.