Hamas to abandon government with PA
Hamas announced on Tuesday afternoon (Australian time) that it has taken a “political decision” to abandon the national consensus government with the Palestinian Authority.
The announcement came amid rising tensions between Hamas and the PA following the latter’s refusal to pay salaries to Palestinians employed by the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip.
The two rival parties are also continuing to fight over responsibility for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip following Operation Protective Edge.
Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri accused the PA government of turning its back on the Gaza Strip.
He said that in light of the decision not to pay Hamas public workers, his movement has taken a “political decision” to quit the government, which was established following last year’s reconciliation pact between the two parties.
“The government has given up its responsibility toward the Gaza Strip, especially the public employees,” al-Masri charged. “Every day, the government proves that it is a government of division and not national consensus. This is a factional government that does not belong to the people.”
The Hamas spokesman called on the government, which Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah heads, to “prove its loyalty to the people and not to [PA] President Mahmoud Abbas.”
http://www.jewishnews.net.au/hamas-to-abandon-government-with-pa/39379
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