PA source: EU will lift boycott for unity gov't

Europe looks set to split with the US over recognition of the newly formed unity government in Palestine. Ahmed Yusef, political adviser to Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, said:

"The European states have promised to reconsider their stance regarding the boycott of the Palestinian government. Following the war in Lebanon there is greater understanding in Europe that they must present a more balanced stance regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict," Yusef said in an interview with Haaretz on Tuesday.

The United States have predictably indicated that they will not be ready to recognise the newly formed government:

The U.S. State Department said on Tuesday that it would not deal with the new Palestinian unity government unless it met the three conditions and so far, it seems that the Palestinians are not complying with the demands.

"We have not seen all the details (of the new government) and we are taking a look, a close look at it. To the extent that we understand this so far, it does not meet the standard," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch told reporters.

As I pointed out yesterday the sticking point is, of course, recognition of Israel.

Yusef says there is no mention of recognition for Israel in the unity government's political platform.

"Recognition and other political issues will be part of the negotiations Abbas will hold. We have granted him full legitimacy to negotiate on behalf of the entire Palestinian people. If he can achieve a diplomatic solution, his plan will be presented before the Palestinian institutions, such as the government and the parliament, and they will need to authorize his proposal. The Arab initiative and the previous UN resolutions will be part of the government's future political agenda."

The Arab initiative refers to a March 2002 proposal by Saudi Arabia whereby the Arab states would recognize Israel in return for a withdrawal to the 1967 lines.

"To date, Israel has not recognized the 1967 lines as its legal border," Yusef said. "When it does so, I will tell you whether we recognize Israel," he added.

This was exactly the point I made yesterday. How can one recognise a state that refuses to define her own borders? How can one be sure of what it is you are being asked to recognise?

These ridiculous and preposterous demands are part of the larger game played by the US and Israel to avoid ever taking part in genuine negotiations. I am delighted that the EU is at last breaking with America's ludicrous stance and recognising the democratically elected government of Palestine, rather than punishing the Palestinian people for having the temerity to vote for Hamas.

Israel and the US often act as if they make the rules up as they go along and don't have to comply with the international norms that the rest of us have to adhere to. It was this mindset that led Bush to declare yesterday during a TV interview that he doesn't agree with Amnesty International's claims that interrogating prisoners in secret jails is illegal. In Bush's world, he is only bound by laws that he personally agrees with.

Likewise, the US have said nothing about Israel arresting most of the Palestinian parliament. However, I am pleased to note that the Israeli courts appear to think that international law applies even if their government and the government of the US don't.

An Israeli military judge has ordered the release of 21 Hamas ministers and parliamentarians detained in the wake of the seizure of an Israeli soldier by Gaza militants in June.

While Israeli officials insisted there was no link with their efforts to free the abducted soldier, Gilad Shalit, a senior aide to the Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh, said it represented "significant progress" towards his release.

The releases of the leading Hamas officials, on bail of £3,125 each, were delayed until tomorrow pending an appeal by military prosecutors. The Hamas leaders are among 60 arrested after Cpl Shalit's seizure.

I am still unsure of why there hasn't been an international uproar over Israel's behaviour towards these elected members of the Palestinian parliament. Had any other country carried out such an audacious action we would now be discussing severing all ties with the regime in question.

However, thanks to the complicity of the US, Israel is allowed to behave in such a way with almost no fear of reprisals. I wonder if the US ever consider that they are actually harming Israel when they behave in this way, encouraging her worst excesses and increasing hatred against her in the Middle East to an extent that can only further undermine her security?

I doubt it. The wilful arrogance of this US administration means that it naturally supposes laws are for others and that it, and it's allies, can ignore them at will.

Israelis should be thankful that their courts take a wiser and more long term view.

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Tags: Israel, Palestine, US, EU, Hamas, unity government, recognition,