JERUSALEM, March 29: The US government told its diplomats and contractors on Wednesday to sever contacts with Palestinian ministries after a Hamas-led government was sworn in.
A directive, distributed to diplomats and other officials in the region by email, instructed them not to have contacts with Hamas-appointed ministers, whether they are members of the militant group or not, officials said.
Following suit, Canada suspended all contact and financial aid to the Hamas-led government.
An official statement said the Hamas had not addressed the concerns raised by Canada and others over non-violence, the recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations including the roadmap to peace.
“As a result, Canada will have no contact with members of the Hamas cabinet and is suspending assistance to the Palestinian Authority,” the statement said.
Washington’s no-contact policy, which took effect just before 1600 GMT – the appointed hour for the oath-taking by Hamas ministers, also applies to those who work for the ministers.
The United States hopes to sideline Hamas and pressure it to recognise Israel, ‘renounce violence’ and abide by peace accords. Hamas, sworn to Israel’s destruction and branded a terrorist organisation by Washington, won Palestinian elections in January.
The no-contact policy was more sweeping than many had expected because it applies not just to Hamas members but to independents and technocrats in the new government.
The decision could impact a wide range of US programmes, including security coordination with the interior ministry, the officials said.
Contacts will still be permitted with President Mahmud Abbas, his office and non-Hamas members of the Palestinian parliament.
The policy took effect minutes before Mr Abbas swore in a Hamas government at a ceremony in Gaza. The 24-member cabinet is dominated by Hamas loyalists, but does include a few independents.
A US official said independents and technocrats were included in the ban because they were ‘invited to join the government by a Hamas prime minister and are in that position as a virtue of a vote of confidence by a Hamas-led PLC (parliament)’.
Officials said the no-contact policy applies to all parts of the US government, as well as to organisations that receive US funding for projects and services in the Palestinian territories.
Asked if the restrictions would make it hard for Washington to function diplomatically in the region, one official said: “We feel we still have a viable Palestinian interlocutor in the form of (President) Abbas, who is democratically elected.”
US law bars the government from providing direct assistance to any group that is on the State Department’s list of banned ‘terrorist organisations’.
Israel has frozen tax revenue transfers to the Palestinian Authority.
While it has ruled out contacts with Hamas-appointed ministers, the Jewish state has yet to spell out its policy on lower-level contacts with technocrats. An Israeli official said the issue would be discussed during a cabinet meeting on Sunday.
