Hamas 'hostile entity' - Israel

2006-04-09 18:16

Jerusalem - Israel's security cabinet declared the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority a "hostile entity" on Sunday.

They also ruled out "bypass" peace talks with the moderate Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said an Israeli government spokesperson.

In its decision, the security cabinet, a small group of top officials, recommended that Israel cut all ties with the Palestinian Authority.

Asaf Shariv, a government spokesman, said although the government was willing to maintain contact with Abbas, Israel would not hold peace talks with him unless Hamas recognised Israel, accepted past peace agreements and renounced violence.

The decision rejected the notion of bypassing Hamas by talking directly to Abbas, who wanted to restart peace talks with Israel.

Hamas rejects Israel's demands

Abbas, whose rival Fatah Party lost to Hamas in January parliamentary elections, was elected separately last year.

Hamas, which is sworn to the destruction of the Jewish state, has rejected Israel's demands, which are backed by the United States and the international community.

The full cabinet is to discuss and approve the recommendations at its weekly meeting next Sunday, making the measures official Israeli policy, said Shariv.

- AP