Palestinians managed to overcome last-minute obstacles to form a new
“government of national unity” on Monday, backed by the Islamist
militant group Hamas, which the United States and Israel have branded a
terrorist organization.
The announcement of a new government, with ministries run mostly by academics and technocrats and headed by current Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, represents a significant step to end a bitter seven-year feud between the dueling Palestinian political factions that separately control the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
But the reconciliation pact between Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and the Palestine Liberation Organization and its political party Fatah, sends the Palestinian people and their leaders into uncharted new territory, with plenty of risk for all.
Israel says it will reject any government backed by Hamas.
The Obama administration is taking a wait-and-see approach, insisting that the new government adhere to existing commitments of nonviolence and recognition of Israel.
The announcement of a new government, with ministries run mostly by academics and technocrats and headed by current Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, represents a significant step to end a bitter seven-year feud between the dueling Palestinian political factions that separately control the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
But the reconciliation pact between Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and the Palestine Liberation Organization and its political party Fatah, sends the Palestinian people and their leaders into uncharted new territory, with plenty of risk for all.
Israel says it will reject any government backed by Hamas.
The Obama administration is taking a wait-and-see approach, insisting that the new government adhere to existing commitments of nonviolence and recognition of Israel.
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