Flawed rejection

Against the backdrop of continued Israeli opposition to the new Palestinian unity government, the UN came out strongly in its support, which also came on the heels of the US and EU willingness to work with it. 

Earlier this week, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said the secretary general “welcomes, on the basis of assurances provided both publicly and to the United Nations, the announcement on June 2 by President Mahmoud Abbas of the formation of a government of national consensus headed by Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah”.

He added that the secretary general “takes note of the renewed assurances... by President Abbas that the government will continue to abide by those commitments of recognition of Israel, non-violence and adherence to previous agreements”.  

No less important is the announcement that the “UN stands ready to lend support to the newly formed government in its effort to reunite the West Bank with Gaza”.

Given the fact that the unity government is committed to recognising Israel when the peace talks come to fruition and that it will continue to renounce violence to achieve its national goals and live up to previous accords with Israel, the rationale behind Israel’s hostile position becomes suspect and flawed through and through. 

If Hamas is also on board on the assurances made by Abbas — as it must be having agreed to the formation of the unity Cabinet — what is left for Israel to complain about? 

The only explanation for the negative Israeli stance could be found in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s determination to keep on fishing for new obstacles in the path of effective peace talks with the Palestinians. 

The international community including the UN, the US and the EU, have unveiled Netanyahu’s true intentions by offering to work with the Palestinian unity government.

Israel, therefore, stands alone in rejecting unity among the Palestinians including the unity of the West Bank with the Gaza Strip.