WASHINGTON – The Bush administration and Congress on Friday began trying to use the power of Western cash to push a new Palestinian government dominated by the radical Islamic group Hamas toward moderation.
President Bush said Friday that the United States would cut aid to the Palestinian government unless Hamas abolishes the militant arm of its party and stops calling for the destruction of Israel.
“And if they don’t, we won’t deal with them,” Bush said on “The CBS Evening News.”
“The aid packages won’t go forward,” Bush said. “That’s their decision to make, but we won’t be providing help to a government that wants to destroy our ally and friend.”
Bush administration officials prepared for a meeting in London on Monday in which they will urge the diplomatic group overseeing the Mideast peace effort – which includes the U.S., the European Union, the United Nations and Russia – to warn the Palestinians that they risk losing millions of dollars in international aid unless they renounce violence and recognize Israel’s right to exist.
European diplomats said Friday that the Americans and Europeans are united in a desire to press Hamas for change, and are willing to remind leaders of the militant group of their financial dependency.
In Congress, members of both chambers began pushing legislation that calls for further restrictions on U.S. aid to Palestinians if Hamas does not change its ways. The measures are expected to win approval in the next few days, staff members said this week.
This year, the U.S. government is providing $150 million in U.S. assistance for Palestinian development and other needs, said Sean McCormack, a spokesman at the State Department. Another $84 million is distributed through the United Nations.
Meanwhile, thousands of Fatah supporters burned cars and shot in the air across the Gaza Strip and the West Bank on Friday, demanding the resignation of corrupt party officials and insisting there be no coalition between their defeated party and the victorious Hamas.
Israel’s government said it would have no contacts with a Palestinian government that includes Hamas. Acting Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni appealed to the international community not to legitimize a Hamas government, saying elections “are not a whitewash for terror.”
Hamas leaders said Friday they had no intention of recognizing Israel.
“It’s not in our mind now to recognize it as we believe that it’s a state that has usurped our land and expelled our people. These issues should be handled before we talk about recognition,” deputy Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk said from Damascus, Syria.
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