Intransigence of Hamas Government will affect aid: UN, Middle East partners

The refusal of the Hamas-led Palestinian Government to commit to non-violence, recognition of Israel and other principles will inevitably have an effect on direct assistance to it, the Middle East diplomatic Quartet made up of the United Nations, United States, European Union and Russia said today.

“The Quartet welcomed President Abbas’ call for the new Palestinian Government to commit to a platform of peace and, having carefully assessed the programme of the new government approved on March 28, noted with grave concern that the new Government has not committed to the principles” spelled out by the Quartet in a pronouncement made soon after the January elections, the group said in a formal statement.

Those principles include the acceptance of previous agreements including the Road Map peace plan – steps to be taken concurrently by the Israelis and Palestinians toward a two-state solution – it sponsors.