Palestine: Reactions to Fatah-Hamas Reconciliation Agreement

Following the final signing of a Fatah-Hamas reconciliation agreement yesterday many international leaders and negotiators weighed in. Benjamin Netanyahu announced in London: “What happened today in Cairo is a tremendous blow to peace and a great victory for terrorism.”  Ha’aretz reports that leaked Israeli Foreign Ministry documents state that the agreement could offer Israel a “strategic opportunity”, which is in stark contrast to statements coming from Israel’s leadership.  Quartet Representative Tony Blair announced that the international community will accept the agreement, but stated that the new unity government must accept Israel’s right to exist and denounce violence.  State Department representative, Mark Toner, reiterated this claim stating that if Hamas seeks to play a political role in the political process it must abide by the Quartet Principles which include renouncing violence, recognizing Israel’s right to exist, and abiding by previous diplomatic agreements.

Former President Jimmy Carter, in an op-ed for the Washington Post, called on the international community to support the reconciliation agreement as a path which “can help Palestinian democracy and establish the basis for a unified Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza that can make a secure peace with Israel.”  He states the agreement should be supported by the international community for three reason: 1) It supports Palestinian democracy, 2) The accord could lead to a “durable ceasefire”, 3) The accord could be the “vehicle to press for a final peace agreement for two states.” Carter asserts that this is a fragile unity, but it is essential for the international community to work with the unity government and “jump-start” the peace process.

Update: Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) stated: “No taxpayer funds should go, they must not go” to the new Palestinian unity government. She continued: “Hamas is designated as a foreign terrorist organization.” The agreement between Hamas and Fatah means, she says, “this foreign terrorist organization which has called for the elimination of Israel” is now in league with the Palestinian Authority.