Hamas wasted little time in shooting down reports that as part of its reconciliation package with the Palestinian Authority it might keep the door open to recognizinng Israel.

Interviewed on the Hamas website, Senior Hamas official Hassan Yousef categorically denied (Arabic) the report, saying “the issue of recognition is non-negotiable.”

Taher al-Nunu, a media adviser for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, had reportedly told the Washington Post “that the faction did not rule out the possibility of recognizing Israel but that any such move would have to be discussed as part of Hamas’s efforts to join the PLO and form a government.” However, Yousef’s denial reaffirmed the Hamas position that rejects any recognition of Israel or peace talks, and calls for Palestinians to take up arms.

The Hamas clarification suggests that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas may face mounting difficulty justifying his new unity government to the international community. In the wake of the unity deal, European Union foreign minister Catherine Ashton warned the Palestinians that “the EU expects any new government to uphold the principle of non-violence, to remain committed to achieving a two state solution and to a negotiated peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, accepting previous agreements and obligations, including Israel’s legitimate right to exist.”

[Photo: Hamas website]