Saturday, the United States said that it was disturbed by a statement from the Palestinian Unity Government regarding the right of resisting the Israeli occupation. The government's statement was made by Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyya.- @page { size: 21.59cm 27.94cm; margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } –>
U.S State Department spokeswoman, Nancy Beck, stated on Saturday that the platform Palestinian Unity Government regarding the right to resist Israel “is disturbing and contradicts the Quartet principles”.
Beck said that Haniyya's speech to the Legislative council “was disappointing and inconsistent with the Quartet principles”.
White House spokesman Tony Snow said that “The United Stated it will not deal with the Palestinian government unless it changes its platform”.
Snow added that the government must abide by the principle of the Quartet.
Also on Saturday the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Gahr Stoere, said that Norway would reestablish relations with the Palestinian government, and added that the European Union welcomed its foundation, yet resumption of aid to the government depends on the cabinet platform and actions.
Germany, which holds the current presidency of the EU issued a statement stating that the EU welcomes the Palestinian Unity Government, which came after the February 8 Mecca Agreement.
The EU statement expressed the readiness to work with the new Palestinian government, and provide it with the needed assistance as long as it adopts a platform that reflects the principles of the Quartet.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Jonas Gahr Stoere, said that the coalition between Hamas and Fateh is walking towards compliance with the international demands.
“Therefore, Norway would reestablish political and economic relations with the Palestinian government”, he added.
Although Norway is not a member of the EU but it plays a key role in the peacemaking process in the Middle East, and is considered one of the most contributors to the Palestinian Authority.
Stoere added that his country expects the Palestinian government to respect the international standards and comply with the previously signed peace deals, in addition to denouncing violence and recognizing Israel's right to exist.
He also called on Israel to take a constructive approach regarding the government, and to release the Palestinian Tax revenues and fees it is with holding since Hamas was elected last year.
Stoere also said that Palestinian fighters should stop firing homemade shells from Gaza into adjacent Israeli areas, and added that the new Palestinian government must gain control over the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and must make efforts to release the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.
Also, the United Kingdom welcomed the new government and said that this government would be judged by its actions. The statement came by the British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett.
Israel said that it will boycott the new government but its officials will not cut ties with president Mahmoud Abbas.
