Abbas' government with Hamas was sworn in at noon in Ramallah

2 June 2014   

Palestinian unity government takes off: Today (Monday) at noon, the Palestinian 'national consensus' government was sworn in, the unity government of Fatah and Hamas, whose establishment was made possible thanks to a reconciliation that ended a seven-year division. The government was sworn in before PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, and will be headed by the current Prime Minister, Rami Hamdallah. Three ministers who are residents of Gaza, who did not receive permission to leave the Strip, were sworn in via video broadcast.

The political-security cabinet convened in Jerusalem for a discussion to formulate an Israeli response. The cabinet is expected to formulate a list of economic and political sanctions against the Palestinians, including personal attacks on senior Palestinian Authority officials by revoking movement permits.

 The inauguration was made possible after a compromise was reached on the question of control over the Palestinian Prisoners' Office, which Fatah had sought to abolish.

According to the compromise, the ministry will not be abolished, but will be directly subordinate to the new Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, considered an independent entity.

Israel launched a diplomatic and economic struggle against the new government and tried to undermine international support for the move. Netanyahu called on elements in the international community: "Do not rush to recognize a Palestinian government of which Hamas is a part. Hamas is a terrorist organization that calls for the destruction of Israel and the international community should not embrace it. This move will not strengthen peace, it will strengthen terrorism.".

Abbas: The government is made up of technocrats

Despite this, the new government enjoys broad international support. The US is also expected to continue normal working relations with Ramallah. On Saturday, PA Chairman Abbas told activists that he did not understand "what danger Israel sees in this government, the government is not made up of Hamas ministers but of technocrats." He added that he understood why Israel wanted to boycott them, but Hamas is 'part of our people.' He warned that while "we will not be the first," the PA would respond to any action by Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel is receiving some support in the form of an appeal by Secretary of State Kerry to Abbas, who expressed his concern about the new composition, which also represented the Hamas movement. The State Department statement reported that "Kerry expressed to Abbas his concern about the fact that Hamas is part of the government and emphasized that it is important that the new government recognize Israel, ratify previous agreements, and above all, be committed to nonviolent principles.".

Abbas repeated his words to Kerry that the government is composed of professionals and not political figures, and promised that it will be subordinate to his political agenda.

On Wednesday, the two are expected to meet in Amman to discuss the new government.