Ayotte Statement on Fatah-Hamas Agreement

Statement

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding the agreement between Fatah and Hamas to reconcile and form a unity government:

"I am deeply disappointed in Fatah's decision to turn its back on the peace process and to seek a unity government with Hamas-a terrorist organization that continues to call for the destruction of Israel.

"A strong and sustainable peace can only be achieved with direct negotiations between two parties that are committed to peace. The Netanyahu government has demonstrated that commitment to peace and has shown good faith by undertaking very difficult and unpopular Palestinian prisoner releases. Fatah responded by refusing to recognize Israel as a Jewish state and has now made matters far worse by aligning itself more closely with Hamas.

"Israel cannot be reasonably expected to negotiate with a terrorist organization that refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist, permits its territories to be used to launch rockets against Israeli civilians, and continues to seek Israel's destruction. We would not expect that of our government, and we should not expect it of Israel either."

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