PALI UNITY GOVT BACK TO ZERO

Abbas Postpones Talks With Hamas (NYSun)
"Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday put off talks with Hamas aimed at breaking a stalemate over forming a unity government, in a sign of deep internal divisions," Reuters reports.

Abbas's aides had said the president was expected to travel to Gaza on Tuesday for talks with leaders of the ruling Hamas Islamist movement including Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh. But later, one senior Abbas aide told Reuters: "Of course he is not going to Gaza. There is a problem with Hamas, they keep reneging on the agreements."

Let's not be fooled into thinking that Abbas is any better than Hamas.



BY THE WAY, IF FATAH DOESN'T TRUST HAMAS TO KEEP ITS AGREEMENTS, WHY SHOULD ISRAEL?

Palestinian President Abbas Says Unity Gov't Efforts 'Back to Zero' (FOXNEWS)
CAIRO, Egypt — Efforts to form a Palestinian government acceptable to the West have gone "back to zero," Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday, a day after Hamas said a coalition government that recognizes Israel is unacceptable.

The Islamic militant group has ruled alone since March, but this month agreed 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, it said the government would seek to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel, which implies recognition. However, the U.S. and Israel demanded a clear commitment from Hamas on the subject, and Abbas was forced to revisit the issue.