Security Cabinet statement
PM Netanyahu: “Whoever chooses the terrorism of Hamas does not want peace.”

(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

The Cabinet today (Thursday, 24 April 2014), unanimously decided that Israel
will not negotiate with a Palestinian government backed by Hamas, a
terrorist organization that calls for Israel's destruction.

In addition, Israel will respond to unilateral Palestinian action with a
series of measures.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said:

"Instead of choosing peace, Abu Mazen formed an alliance with a murderous
terrorist organization that calls for the destruction of Israel.

Abu Mazen has formed an alliance with an organization whose covenant calls
for Muslims to fight and kill Jews. Hamas has fired more than 10,000
missiles and rockets at Israeli territory and has not halted terrorist
actions against Israel even for a minute.

The agreement between Abu Mazen and Hamas was signed even as Israel is
making efforts to advance the negotiations with the Palestinians. It is the
direct continuation of the Palestinians' refusal to advance the
negotiations. Only last month Abu Mazen rejected the framework principles
proposed by the United States. Abu Mazen has refused to even discuss
recognizing Israel as the national state of the Jewish People. He violated
existing agreements by unilaterally applying to accede to international
treaties and then formed an alliance with Hamas.

Whoever chooses the terrorism of Hamas does not want peace."