Israel is urging the United States and key European governments to press Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas not to establish a unity government with Hamas.
In an interview with CNN yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strenuously opposed the unity government idea, which he said would preclude any progress in the peace process.
Netanyahu told CNN that Fatah is talking about national unity with Hamas, which calls for Israel's destruction. He questioned how is it possible to be for peace with Israel and also for peace with Hamas, which he said wants to destroy Israel, and likened such a situation to a peace agreement with Al-Qaida.
Sources in Netanyahu's bureau said that he and two of his top aides, Ron Dermer and Isaac Molho, have begun discussing the issue with the Americans and other international players. "Netanyahu plans to raise the issue in conversations with foreign leaders over the coming days," said one.
The sources declined to say whether formation of a Palestinian unity government would result in Israeli sanctions on the PA or the cessation of security cooperation with it. For now, they said, Netanyahu is focused on diplomatic action.
"We are demanding that the international community make it clear to the Palestinians that forming a national unity government with Hamas is a step that would attest to lack of interest in continuing the peace process".