By Ryan Jones
Apr 12, 2006
Israel's Interim Cabinet, which is expected to undergo little change following the formation of a ruling coalition, declared Tuesday that the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority is a terrorist government with which the Jewish state will have no official contact.
Read an official communique communicated by the Cabinet Secretariat:
"The Palestinian Authority is a terrorist authority that is hostile to Israel."
Furthermore:
"The State of Israel, and all of its official representatives, will not hold ties with the Palestinian Authority and its elements." ..."[And] foreign officials who are visiting the region and who meet with Hamas elements will not be received, during the same visit, for meetings with Israeli officials."
The Cabinet also rejected some international assertions that full negotiations can continue with PLO chief Mahmoud Abbas, while sidelining the Hamas government whose approval Abbas requires for any serious diplomatic moves.
"The Palestinian Authority is one authority; therefore, neither the Palestinian Authority Chairman nor his office will be treated any differently."
Despite the clear and present danger represented by the Hamas Authority and the fact the Palestinian Arab public overwhelmingly chose the terrorists as their leaders, Israel sought to continue aiding average "Palestinians."
"Israel will coordinate with the international community regarding humanitarian assistance for the needs of the Palestinian population."
And following a frantic appeal by Abbas the US announced earlier this week that it plans to increase by more than 50 percent over last year the amount of aid it will send to the Palestinian Arabs in 2006.
Whether or not Israel holds fast to its new classification of the PA remains to be seen. Similiar pronouncements in the past have fallen by the wayside under international pressure to return to the negotiating table.