Palestinian diplomats await EU backing for unity government

Palestinian diplomats said on the 28 April 2011 that the EU was likely to back a new deal signed on the 4 May 2011 between rival political factions Fatah and Hamas despite Israel's opposition.

Speaking to EUObserver following the surprise announcement of a new Hamas-Fatah national unity government, Xavier Abu Eid, an adviser to the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), said the reconciliation pact fits in with stated EU policy.

EurActiv reported that the Palestinian envoy to Brussels, Leila Shahid, called on the EU to support the new 'technocratic' Palestinian Authority (PA).

EurActiv also reported on Israel warning the EU to be cautious in its response.

• Primary Source

EUISS: Analysis, May 2011: Palestinian reconciliation: A step towards peace and democracy http://www.iss.europa.eu/uploads/media/Palestinian_reconciliation.pdf

EurActiv, 6.5.11: Carnival of spin rages as Mideast leaders tour Europe http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/carnival-spin-rages-mideast-lead-news-504606

EUObserver, 4.5.11: EU exploring better relations with Hamas http://euobserver.com/9/32261

Deutsche Welle, 28.4.11: Surprise Fatah, Hamas agreement irritates Israel http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15035539,00.html

France24, 28.4.11: Israel rejects talks with unity govt that includes Hamas http://www.france24.com/en/20110428-israel-rules-out-talks-with-palestinian-unity-government-including-hamas-fatah

EurActiv, 29.4.11: Palestinian envoy calls on Brussels to support unity deal http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/palestinian-envoy-calls-brussels-news-504387

EEAS: Occupied Palestinian Territory http://eeas.europa.eu/occupied_palestinian_territory/index_en.htm

EEAS: Press Release, 28.4.11 (A166/11): Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the agreement to form a Palestinian interim government http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/121667.pdf

EUObserver, 25.5.11: Ashton goes against US and Israel on Hamas http://euobserver.com/9/32395

Israel: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Press Release, 29.4.11: FM Liberman speaks with EU High Representative Catherine Ashton http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/MFA+Spokesman/2011/FM_Liberman_speaks_with_EU_High_Representative_Ashton_29_Apr_2011.htm

EurActiv, 2.5.11: Israel urges EU 'caution' on backing Fatah-Hamas unity http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/israel-tells-eu-cautious-back-fatah-hamas-unity-news-504432

CER: Bulletin, No.78, June-July 2011: Palestinian reconciliation is an opportunity for peace http://www.cer.org.uk/publications/archive/bulletin-article/2011/palestinian-reconciliation-opportunity-peace

ECFR: Commentary, May 2011: Manna from Heaven http://ecfr.eu/content/entry/commentary_manna_from_heaven

EUObserver, 7.6.11: EU and Russia see eye-to-eye on Hamas http://euobserver.com/9/32453

EUObserver, 10.6.11: Israel seeks Kosovo-type EU split on Palestine http://euobserver.com/9/32475

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