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Israel: International Boycott of PA Government to Continue

[Ha'aretz] Aluf Benn, Shmuel Rosner and Gideon Alon - Political sources in Jerusalem said Saturday that Israel expects a certain amount of weakening in the international position on the new PA government, but said: "The story is money, and they won't get it for the time being....Since the Americans and Europeans are maintaining the freeze on aid, and Israel isn't releasing the withheld Palestinian taxes, Hamas hasn't gained anything." "Overall, the diplomatic battle is being waged effectively," said the sources, praising Germany, which currently holds the EU presidency, for its efforts in formulating the European position. The sources dismissed Norway's decision to recognize the PA government and to offer it aid, saying that the amount of support will be inconsequential, and that Norway is conducting a foreign policy independent of the EU because it is not a member state. U.S. officials said over the weekend that the American position on the PA government has not changed, and that the contacts with Fatah ministers should not be seen as a crack in the dam of the international boycott. Prime Minister Olmert told the Cabinet: "Abbas promised me that the new government would not be formed before the release of (captured IDF soldier) Gilad Shalit, but he didn't keep this promise....The rocket fire has continued on a daily basis and what has Abbas done about this?"
2007-03-19 01:00:00
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