March 16, 2007	Friday	Safar 26, 1428

JERUSALEM, March 15: Israel on Thursday rejected any contacts with the new Palestinian government uniting rival factions Fatah and Hamas, which is regarded as a terrorist outfit by the Jewish state and the West.

“The Israeli position remains the same,” government spokeswoman Miri Eisin said in the first official reaction to the new Palestinian cabinet lineup unveiled on Thursday.

“We will not recognise or deal with this government or with members of this government and we expect the international community to stand firm in their demand to adopt the three principles.” She was referring to three conditions set by the international Quartet for Middle East peace -- renouncing violence, recognising Israel and agreeing to abide by past peace deals.

In its political programme, it says it will only “respect” past agreements, calls for a “complete truce” in Israeli-Palestinian violence on condition that it is “reciprocated,” and defends the Palestinian “right of resistance.”

Earlier a senior Israeli official said that the Jewish state would be ready to work with the new Palestinian government under certain conditions.

“If the new government manages to guarantee a swift and successful end to the problems of Gilad Shalit and the ongoing Qassam (rocket) fire, Israel will use a pragmatic approach that will allow working with the government,” he said on condition of anonymity.

He was referring to an Israeli soldier who was captured by Gaza-based militants nearly nine months ago and to rockets fired by gunmen from the coastal strip on a regular basis into the Jewish state.

“Israel will be ready to be more flexible towards the Palestinian government,” the official said. “If the Palestinians fail to do so, and the terror attacks do not stop, reality will dictate Israel's actions.”

The senior Israeli official said that Israel's willingness to look for ways to work with the Palestinian government without changing its official line stems from a fear that cracks were appearing in the Quartet over whether to maintain the aid boycott.

“There is a certain erosion in the international approach towards the Palestinians, especially in Europe,” the official said.

“Although the European Union's official position won't change, certain elements in the EU are willing to use more flexibility and hold some type of dialogue with the Palestinian government even if it does not speak to Israel.” Russia has urged a lifting of the aid embargo and Israel fears that Europe will follow suit.—AFP