US ‘disappointed’ by unity deal between Palestinian factions
Washington says deal between Hamas and PLO could make peace efforts more difficult and threatens delivery of US$500 million in aid to the Palestinian authorities
The United States said on Wednesday it was let down by a unity pact agreed to between the Gaza-based Islamist group Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas’ Palestine Liberation Organisation and added it could make peace efforts difficult.
“The timing was troubling, and we were certainly disappointed in the announcement,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a regular news briefing.
“This could seriously complicate our efforts – not just our efforts but the efforts of the parties to extend their negotiations.”
“It’s hard to see how Israel can be expected to negotiate with a government that does not believe in its right to exist.”
The leaders of a US House of Representatives appropriations subcommittee that oversees foreign said the Palestinians’ agreement with Hamas could jeopardise funds they receive from the US government.
The United States, Israel and the European Union view Hamas as a terrorist organisation,
Washington sends about US$500 million to the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority each year. Frustrated members of the US Congress, who are generally strong supporters of Israel, said that money could be cut off.
“Not only does this action potentially derail any hope of a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, it puts in jeopardy future US assistance to the Palestinian Authority,” Republican US Representative Kay Granger, the subcommittee chairwoman, said in a statement.
Psaki said US officials had expressed their concerns to the Palestinians.
