A PALESTINIAN government of national unity that includes Hamas offers a way to get the Middle East peace process back on track and allow the EU to recognise Hamas, EU foreign ministers agreed last night. | And give the Paleos lots of danegeld. |
European ministers held a brainstorming session in Finland yesterday. The Finnish minister Erkki Tuoioja, chairing the two-day meeting, said they have to be ready to talk to all parties, including Hamas and Syria. However Hamas, which is on the EU's terror list, would first have to recognise Israel, he added.
But a government of national unity, which Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is negotiating, offers a way out of this difficulty. President Abbas is insisting that parties to such a national government would accept conditions the same as those set by the EU — an end to violence, recognition of Israel and adherence to agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
After the meeting Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern said that with agreement on a government of national unity there will be “at least tacit acceptance of a two-state solution”. This line of thinking was put to the ministers by
But all of this is conditional on President Abbas succeeding in forming a multi-party government.
Mr Ahern pointed out there would be additional problems as the Hamas deputy prime minister, six other ministers and 30 members of the legislative council are all in Israeli jails.
| And likely to stay there, especially if springing them means the EU is going to give the Paleos money. |