Hamas 'must recognise Israel' says UN

The UN Security Council told Hamas yesterday that a future Palestinian government must recognise Israel and commit itself to a negotiated settlement of the Mideast conflict culminating in two independent states living side-by-side in peace.

The council commented for the first time on the militant Islamic group’s surprise victory in the January 25 Palestinian elections in a presidential statement that was delayed because of Qatar’s demand for more criticism of Israel.

It congratulated the Palestinian people “on an electoral process that was free, fair and secure” and commended all parties involved in preparing and conduction the election.

The council welcomed the commitment by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Fatah Party was defeated in the election, to the roadmap to peace drafted by the United Nations, the US, the European Union and Russia. It also welcomed his commitment to a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and previous agreements between the two parties.

“The Security Council expresses its view that all members of a future Palestinian government must be committed to the aforementioned instruments and principles,” the council said in the statement read at a formal meeting by US Ambassador John Bolton, the current council president.

Leaders from Hamas and the ruling Fatah party have met twice in recent days to discuss the formation of a new government following Hamas’ landslide victory. Hamas has said it would like Fatah to join in a coalition, but senior Fatah leaders said they preferred to stay in the opposition.

The Security Council reaffirmed “its profound attachment to the vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security” and reminded both parties of their obligations under the roadmap.

It underlined the need for the Palestinian Authority “to prevent terrorist attacks and dismantle the infrastructure of terror”. Without naming Israel, it also called for a halt to settlement expansion and expressed concern about the route of the security barrier Israel is building to keep out Palestinian attackers.

At a meeting in London on Monday, the so-called Quartet that drafted the roadmap said it was inevitable that future aid to a new Palestinian government led by the militant Islamic group would be reviewed by donors against that government’s commitment to renounce violence and recognise Israel.

The Security Council noted that major donors will conduct such a review and said it was “cognisant of the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people” and reaffirmed “its continuing interest in the fiscal stability of the caretaker government, consistent with clear reform and austerity benchmarks.”

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Monday that aid would not stop immediately. US and European officials said it will probably take two to three months for a new Hamas government to form and take office, effectively giving Hamas a brief grace period to accede to international demands.