Abbas to call referendum — MIDDLE EAST | 世界のニュースを英語で読むならジャパンタイムズウィークリー


	UPDATE: Saturday, June 12, 2010 The Japan Times Weekly 2006年6月10日号（バックナンバー）

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MIDDLE EAST
Abbas to call referendum

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said June 5 he would call a referendum on a program that implicitly recognizes Israel after talks with the militant Islamic group Hamas broke down. Hamas strongly opposes a referendum, calling it illegal.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas

Hamas, at the head of the Palestinian government, has rebuffed Western demands to recognize Israel, accept previous peace accords and renounce violence. The West cut off aid to the Hamas-led government, leading to a financial crisis.

Abbas ruled out any changes to the program proposed in an 18-point document that accepts a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem, implying recognition of Israel next to it.

A vote could deeply embarrass Hamas, which won January elections in a landslide against Abbas' Fatah. But government inefficiency and corruption were the main issues, not policy toward Israel. The Palestinians have never held a referendum before, and officials said the vote would not be binding. But passing the referendum could give Abbas the advantage in his standoff with Hamas.

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