Seventy-nine senators signed a letter to Condoleezza Rice urging the United States to ensure that any Palestinian Authority government accept Israel and renounce violence before it can receive international aid and recognition.
The Senate letter, closed last Friday and led by Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.), urges the U.S. secretary of state to “maintain current U.S. policy” toward the P.A. government until it meets international conditions.
With the recent formation of a unity government between the terrorist group Hamas and the more moderate Fatah, dovish groups have suggested that Israel and the West maintain open diplomatic channels with the government’s moderate elements. Rice met with Fatah member and P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday in Ramallah.
The Senate letter was strongly supported by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
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