PA spokesman says Israeli demands won’t deter Palestinian unity efforts

The spokesman of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas says Israel’s refusal to negotiate with a Palestinian unity government that includes Hamas won’t affect the landmark unity deal between the two rival Palestinian factions.

According to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that Abbas believes the the unity deal signed last week between Fatah and Hamas is “moving the Palestinians in the right direction.”

“Any Israeli remarks will not change the official Palestinian position to move forward with reconciliation efforts and reach the hopes and aspirations of our people,” he says.

Earlier, the security cabinet announced that Israel would not negotiate with a Palestinian unity government that includes Hamas if the terrorist organization does not disarm, recognize Israel and give up violence.