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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Israel imposes sanctions on Hamas |
| 2006-02-19 |
| Israel's cabinet is to impose sanctions on the Palestinian Authority, now led by militant group Hamas. Israel will withhold an estimated $50m (£28m) in monthly customs revenues due to the PA, and will tighten borders for people and food crossing into Gaza. Ahead of a cabinet meeting, acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called the Hamas-led PA as a "terrorist authority" and ruled out direct talks. Israel would allow humanitarian aid to reach the Palestinians, Mr Olmert said. "It is clear that given the Hamas majority in the Palestinian parliament and the fact that the role of forming a government has been given to Hamas, the Palestinian Authority is effectively becoming a terrorist authority," Mr Olmert said. "Israel will not hold contacts with a government that Hamas is part of." Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is expected to ask Ismail Haniya of Hamas to form a government, after his widely-expected nomination was confirmed on Sunday. Speaking on Saturday at the inauguration of the new Palestinian parliament, Mr Abbas stressed the need for a negotiated settlement with Israel. Seventy-four Hamas members were among those sworn in to the Palestinian Legislative Council at ceremonies in Ramallah and Gaza City. Hamas officials rejected suggestions that they should recognise the state of Israel and enter talks, but did hint at holding a dialogue with Mr Abbas. Who says Hamas isn't flexible? Also on Sunday, Israeli aircraft killed two Palestinians suspected of laying bombs near the border with Gaza. ^5! The men, hit by a missile near the border fence at Kouza, were reported to be members of the Popular Resistance Committees, ... not the Committees of Popular Resistance, mind you ... which has carried out previous attacks against Israeli targets. |
| Posted by:ryuge |