Washington – The United States on Monday lifted its embargo on direct aid to, and diplomatic contact with, the Palestinian government, joining other countries and the European Union in a swift demonstration of support for embattled President Mahmoud Abbas in his struggle against the anti-Israeli militant group Hamas.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she had called Salam Fayyad, the new prime minister named this week by Abbas, to tell him she was ending the bans imposed after Hamas’ unexpected victory in legislative elections last year.
“We want to work with his government and support his efforts to enforce the rule of law and to ensure a better life for the Palestinian people,” she told reporters.
In Luxembourg, European Union foreign ministers said they also were prepared to end the 15-month embargo on direct financial aid to the Palestinian government.
Some analysts have questioned the legality under Palestinian law of Abbas’ dismissal of the Hamas-dominated government after Hamas seized the Gaza Strip from security forces loyal to Abbas. But Rice and other U.S. officials brushed aside such concerns, insisting he had every right to create a new government – one that now appears willing and able to negotiate with Israel.
“We are trying to push the restart button,” one senior administration official said, bringing U.S. policy back to before the Hamas victory in elections that were certified as free and fair.
The rush to support Abbas spawned some nervousness among Israeli officials, who consider him ineffectual and too willing to compromise with Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrived in Washington on Monday and will meet with President Bush today in a session that had been intended to bolster the unpopular Israeli leader’s political standing. Now the international response to Hamas’ takeover of Gaza will dominate the discussions.
Abbas, in a phone conversation Monday with Bush, urged him to encourage Israel to begin peace talks with his new government as soon as possible.
“We have seen the results of attempts to make compromises with terrorists,” said Israeli Ambassador Sallai Meridor, referring to a unity government Abbas created this year with Hamas. He said Abbas needs to make a “strategic decision” to cut ties completely with Hamas, adding that “he has taken some steps in a positive direction.”
The senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the diplomatic sensitivities involved, noted that Fayyad committed himself this weekend to key principles – such as accepting Israel’s right to exist – that Western powers had demanded of the Hamas-led government.
Rice said that up to $86 million in funds – much of which had been earmarked to bolster Abbas’ security forces against Hamas – will be redirected to assist the nascent government in providing essential services.
Hamas won the 2006 elections largely on its reputation for efficiency in providing social services and a reputation for incorruptibility, in contrast to that of Abbas’ Fatah party, which has long dominated Palestinian politics. The international aid boycott, intended to isolate Hamas, stirred resentment among many Palestinians, even those who did not support Hamas. Humanitarian aid, however, continued to flow.
Rice said an additional $40 million will be contributed to the U.N. agency that assists Palestinian refugees in Gaza.
Neither Hamas nor Fatah appeared ready to give ground Monday. Fatah leaders said the former Hamas prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, should acknowledge Abbas’ order dismissing the unity government.
Hamas leaders in Gaza, meanwhile, refused to accept Abbas’ decision.
“I think we are the only legitimate government because we received our support from the Palestinian people,” said Mahmoud al-Zahar, a Hamas leader and former foreign minister in its government. “The others received their legitimacy from the enemy.”
