Hamas PM takes Abbas on Israel recognition issue

President Mahmoud Abbas’ efforts to set up a Palestinian government acceptable to the West suffered a new setback when the prime minister from the Islamic militant Hamas group said he would not lead a coalition that recognised Israel.

At the United Nations on Thursday, Abbas indicated a national unity government would recognise the Jewish state. It was not clear whether Abbas promised more than he can deliver, in hopes of soliciting international support, or whether he was trying to pressure Hamas.

Hamas has ruled alone since March, but agreed this month to share power with Abbas’ moderate Fatah Party in hopes of ending a crippling international aid boycott of the Palestinian Authority.

The Hamas-Fatah coalition deal sidestepped recognition of Israel, instead saying the government would seek to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel, which implies recognition. But the US and Israel demanded a clear commitment from Hamas on the subject and Abbas was forced to revisit the issue.

Abbas and his aides were on their way from New York to Cairo last night and could not be reached for comment.

Hamas leaders reacted swiftly to Abbas’ comments, with prime minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas telling Muslim worshippers in Gaza that recognition of Israel was out of the question.

“I personally will not head any government that recognises Israel,” said Haniyeh, considered on Hamas’ more pragmatic wing.

He reiterated that Hamas was ready to establish a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, areas Israel captured in the 1967 Six Day War, and to honour a long-term truce with Israel.

“We support establishing a Palestinian state in the land of 1967 at this stage, but in return for a ceasefire, not recognition,” Haniyeh said.

Hamas officials left open the possibility of more negotiations, saying they wanted to hear from Abbas when he returned to the region. “We don’t want to build on statements or positions we heard in the media,” said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri.

“When Abu Mazen (Abbas) comes back, we will listen to him and evaluate.”

Palestinians appeared to be in conflict over what they wanted their leaders to do.

Recent opinion polls suggest an overwhelming majority wants Hamas to stick to its refusal to recognise Israel, apparently as an expression of Palestinian pride, even at the price of economic hardship caused by the foreign aid boycott.

Hamas would lose much of its popularity if it were to issue a statement of recognition, the polls indicate. However, two-thirds of Palestinians also want Abbas to negotiate a peace deal with Israel.

Caught between such contradictory expectations, Abbas has been banking on a vague agreement.

Abbas aide Nabil Amr said Hamas would not be expected to issue a statement of recognition, but would be asked to recognise agreements signed by the Palestine Liberation Organisation, including the PLO’s 1993 mutual recognition agreement with Israel. Abbas heads the PLO.

But the US and Israel might not settle for such fuzzy language.

Israeli government spokeswoman Miri Eisin said any Palestinian government must yield to the demands of the international community – recognition of Israel, renunciation of violence and acceptance of previous peace agreements.

Abbas has few political options. He could sack the Hamas government and replace it with an emergency government, but the new line-up would have to win approval from the Hamas-controlled parliament, which seems unlikely.