Netanyahu: PA must choose peace or Hamas

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the agreement signed by the Palestinian factions in Qatar on Monday, saying that peace and Hamas could not go together.

Addressing the Likud Party faction, Netanyahu said the agreement reached between Fatah and Hamas creating a unity government was harmful to the peace process. Netanyahu said Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas had to choose between the peace process and unity with Hamas, and urged him to restart talks with Israel.

There have been many efforts in recent weeks to resume direct negotiation, Netanyahu said. “If Abu Mazen [Abbas] goes through with the agreement signed in Doha [Qatar], he will be choosing to abandon the way to peace and joining Hamas.”

In a press release issued by the Prime Ministers Office, Netanyahu said he would be willing to talk to Hamas — if they would accept the international communities conditions. There are three demands towards Hamas: To abandon terror, honor previous agreements signed between Israel and the PA, and recognize Israel’s right to exist.