Washington, D.C. - Representative Eliot L. Engel, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement regarding reports of a Hamas-Fatah unity agreement.
“I am disappointed by the reports of a Hamas-Fatah unity agreement. President Abbas should demonstrate that his priority is peace with Israel-not Hamas.
“We know what a Hamas-led government would mean: a halt to peace talks and the danger of escalating violence and instability. Just as this deal could undermine American peacemaking efforts in the region, it would also endanger the future of American assistance to the Palestinians.
“I call on President Abbas to make clear that Israel is not the only one at the negotiating table.".
