DIS-UNITY GOVERNMENT

Hamas speaks out against recognizing Israel; Abbas had said unity government would acknowledge Jewish state (MSNBC)
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - The Palestinians’ ruling Hamas group will not join a planned coalition government if recognizing Israel is a condition, a close aide to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said Friday.

At the United Nations on Thursday, the moderate Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said the planned national unity government between his Fatah Party and Hamas would recognize the Jewish state.

But Haniyeh’s political adviser, Ahmed Yousef, told The Associated Press on Friday that “there won’t be a national unity government if Hamas is asked to recognize Israel.”

Hamas: No Unity Government If We Must Recognize Israel - Aluf Benn and Avi Issacharoff
Hamas will not join a Palestinian unity government if recognition of Israel is a condition, an aide to Palestinian Prime Minister Haniyeh said Friday. The comment appeared to contradict PA Chairman Abbas' statement to the UN on Thursday that the planned Hamas-Fatah government would recognize Israel. Haniyeh's political adviser Ahmed Yousef said, "there won't be a national unity government if Hamas is asked to recognize Israel." (Ha'aretz)