Israel condemns Palestinian reconciliation deal
Sunday, February 5, 2012
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel's prime minister says it will be impossible to hold peace talks if the Palestinians go through with a new reconciliation deal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has chosen to "abandon the way of peace" by reaching a power-sharing deal with the Hamas militant group.
Israel and the Palestinians last month held their first peace talks in more than a year. Without any breakthroughs, Abbas has not decided whether to continue those talks.
Israel considers Hamas a terrorist group. In a statement Monday, Netanyahu said: "It is either peace with Hamas or peace with Israel. You can't have them both."
The reconciliation deal aims to end a rift that has left the Palestinians with rival governments in the West Bank and Gaza since 2007.
More like this
Palestinians spurn Netanyahu call to resume talks
Israel to release withheld money to Palestinians
Obama: Israel's '67 borders reflect longstanding U.S. policy
