BICOM

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with British Prime Minister David Cameron this evening before continuing to France to meet with President Nicholas Sarkozy.  Netanyahu is expected to urge Britain and France not to recognise a new Palestinian government formed jointly by Fatah and Hamas, for as long as Hamas refuses to accept conditions set by the international community for its participation in the diplomatic process. The movement continues to reject these conditions, which stipulate that Hamas accept Israel’s right to exist, abandon violence and commit to existing agreements between Israelis and Palestinians. Hamas officials said yesterday that the movement would continue to abide by the unofficial truce which has pertained for most of the period since Operation Cast Lead in 2008-9. Netanyahu yesterday called on PA Chairman Abbas to abandon plans for reconciliation with Hamas. He reiterated that it would be impossible for Israel to reach peace with a government that included an organization committed to its destruction.