Yasser Abed-Rabbo, secretary of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), declared today that the new government would be formed today. Dr. Salaam Fayyad, the Prime Minister, and other ministers will be sworn-in by President Mahmoud Abbas.Apparently, the 24 ministers will include independent figures, private sector figures, and officials of Fateh, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Fida and the National Struggle Front.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Palestinian People Party (PPP) refused to take part in the new government since it is not based on a national agreement that includes all factions.
The new government, which was said to be transitory, leaves open the question of the Hamas-Fateh division. Hamas suggested the formation of a new government means the failure of internal talks that were supposed to be resumed in Cairo next week. Fawzi Barhoum, a Hamas official, said that Abbas had "issued a death certificate ahead of talks".
"This step is not a good sign ... It will deepen divisions," he said.
Abu Mazen denied this and promised to dissolve the government in the case of a unity agreement. Fayyad asserted the new government would help facilitate the internal dialogue.
Hamas also suggested that this "step would lead to further concessions that Abbas would be making during his upcoming visit to Washington," according to the International Middle East Media Center.
Hamas and Fateh are to re-convene talks in Cairo on Saturday. Key issues the parties are stalemated on include recognizing Israel, renouncing violent resistance, and acceding to existing agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.
A senior Fateh official said the round with Hamas will result progress on several pending issues. "There are positive indications that a progress will be made in this round," said Nabil Shaath, a member of Fatah's central committee. He said Egypt stayed in touch with the factions to work on clearing obstacles and preparing for the resolution of other issues.
HEADLINES
UNSC calls for a Palestinian state (Jerusalem Post)
Pope arrives in Israel and already rankles Israelis (McClatchy)
Time needed for resumption of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks (Xinhua)
New government Tuesday (Ma'an News)
Palestine and the Palestinians
Hamas denies holding undercover meetings with Fatah (Xinhua)
Palestinian Mufti calls Pope to work against Israeli 'aggression' (Ynetnews)
Israel kidnapped 2350 Palestinians since the beginning of this year (International Middle East Media Center)
Fairtrade supports Palestinian farmers (Institute for Middle East Understanding)
Israel opens Gaza crossings for aid, fuel, grain (Ma'an News Agency)
IDF removes two roadblocks in Ramallah area to 'allow free movement' (Jerusalem Post)
Palestinians: Jerusalem light train will tear down the West Bank Wall (Al-Bawaba)
What’s happening at Kerem Shalom? (IRIN)
PA jails Hamas activist for coup plot (Jerusalem Post)
Freed Palestinian Woman Speak (Scoop)
Israel
Iran's missiles not an existential threat, study said (Ha'aretz)
Video: Israel's Enemy Within (PBS)
Chief Rabbi to Pope: Tell the world Jews belong in Israel (Ha'aretz)
Top MK: As soldier in Hitler's army, Pope bears burden of Holocaust (Ha'aretz)
Israel Procrastinates on Pullout from Ghajar (Naharnet)
Netanyahu caves in to Barak, won't slash defense budget (Ha'aretz)
Disengagement official: Gaza settler families cost NIS 4.9 million each (Ha'aretz)
New envoy to US: Soon Jews won't want to live in Israel (Ha'aretz)
The Neighbors
Abbas to meet Assad in Syria on Thursday (AFP)
Gül to urge Syria to contribute to Palestinian unity in visit (Today's Zaman)
Lebanon displays tools it says Israel used to spy (The Associated Press)
Williams briefs Siniora on Israel talks (Daily Star)
MP says Resistance bloc on high alert against Israel (Daily Star)
Hezbollah: Lebanese army has no strategic weapons to confront Israel (Xinhua)
Video: Assessing the Israel-Egypt alliance (Al-Jazeera)
US Foreign Policy
Sanctions renewed, but Syria understands (Asia Times Online)
Egypt to Be Center Stage in Obama’s Address to Arabs (New York Times)
Pentagon Wary of Giving Israel Access to Stealth Jet Computers (AllGov)
International Relations/Law
UN pressures Israel on peace policy (Al Jazeera)
Russia not against Hezbollah participation in Moscow meeting - Lavrov
(ITAR-TASS)
UN's Ban urges Israel to change settlement policy (Reuters)
Analysis: Pope's visit to Israel puts focus on Catholic-Jewish ties (CNN International)
Arab FM's to file suit against Israel (Haber 27)
South Africa "regrets" Israel barred Palestine envoy from attending president's inauguration (Ma'an News Agency)
Iran urges world action on Israeli nukes (Tehran Times)
Israel sends first economic attaché to Cambodia (Ynetnew)
Debate rages over UN rights council (Al-Jazeera)
UN holds Human Rights Council elections (Jerusalem Post)
Arts and Activism
Jewish actress loses gig over play (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
A Word on Palestinian Activism at MIT (The MIT Tech)
Misc.
Taking Sides on Professor's E-Mail Comparing Israel and Nazis (Inside Higher Ed)
The Jordan River is Dying (Voice of America)
Commentary
John Kilcullen: Two States Now: The Case for Unilateral US Recognition of Palestine (World Politics Review)
Pope Calls for Palestinian Homeland (Israel Policy Forum)
Amnon Be’eri-Sulitzeanu: Israel's Arab Citizens and the State: Is the Relationship Changing? (Israel Policy Forum)
Franklin Lamb: Palestinian Refugees and Lebanon's June 7th Election (Palestine Chronicle)
Sarah Holewinski: Will Israel Help Gaza's Victims? (Huffington Post)
Mohammed Mar’i: Israel fears breakdown in US cooperation under Obama (Arab News)
Stephanie Doetzer: 'Go back and die in Gaza' (Al-Jazeera)
Jacques Hersh: Inconvenient Truths about 'Real Existing' Zionism (Monthly Review)
Benjamin Pogrund: Will Obama keep Israel to its promises? (guardian.co.uk)
Yonatan Touval: A Recognition Israel Doesn’t Need (New York Times)
David Cronin: Few left unscarred in Gaza (Inter Press Service)
Daoud Kuttab: Arabs in Palestine and Jordan predate Christianity and Islam (Jerusalem Post)
Hatim Kanaaneh: Galilee doctor seeks Obama's aid in struggle (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
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