This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6463925.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
US 'ready' for non-Hamas contacts US 'ready' for non-Hamas contacts
(about 6 hours later)
The US says it has decided that it will have contact with some of the new ministers in the Palestinian unity government, sworn in on Saturday.The US says it has decided that it will have contact with some of the new ministers in the Palestinian unity government, sworn in on Saturday.
A US consular official in Jerusalem said the US would maintain contact with ministers it feels it can work with.A US consular official in Jerusalem said the US would maintain contact with ministers it feels it can work with.
US officials deny this amounts to a shift in policy, saying they will still not deal with Hamas.US officials deny this amounts to a shift in policy, saying they will still not deal with Hamas.
Israeli PM Ehud Olmert urged the international community to have nothing to do with the new government.Israeli PM Ehud Olmert urged the international community to have nothing to do with the new government.
Mr Olmert said the platform of the Palestinian government led by Ismail Haniya of Hamas included "some extremely problematic elements which can't be accepted by Israel or the international community".Mr Olmert said the platform of the Palestinian government led by Ismail Haniya of Hamas included "some extremely problematic elements which can't be accepted by Israel or the international community".
Mr Olmert said the programme fell short of international demands to renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept past peace agreements.Mr Olmert said the programme fell short of international demands to renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept past peace agreements.
The prime minister's policy statement was overwhelmingly endorsed by the Israeli cabinet on Sunday.The prime minister's policy statement was overwhelmingly endorsed by the Israeli cabinet on Sunday.
'Ending isolation''Ending isolation'
The BBC's Matthew Price in Jerusalem says the international boycott of the Palestinian government appears to be weakening, with a number of countries saying they will deal with at least some of the ministers in the new cabinet.
He says sources at the European Union suggest they expect soon to start contacts with the non-Hamas members - a stance supported by the UK.
Individuals who are not members of foreign terrorist organisations... we do not rule out contact with Micaela Schweitzer-BluhmUS consulate spokeswoman The previous cabinet consisted of Islamists from Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel's right to exist, leading the US and EU to refuse to deal with the Palestinian government.
The new cabinet however includes parties other than Hamas.
The US said on Sunday it was ready to deal with Palestinian government ministers who were not members of Hamas, which is regarded as a terrorist group by Washington.The US said on Sunday it was ready to deal with Palestinian government ministers who were not members of Hamas, which is regarded as a terrorist group by Washington.
We can't maintain contact with the government or its ministers when you consider that this is a government that does not accept the conditions of the international community and sees terror as a legitimate goal Ehud OlmertIsraeli Prime Minister
"Individuals who are not members of foreign terrorist organisations but who do hold office in the unity government, we do not rule out contact with those individuals," said Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm, spokeswoman for the US consulate in Jerusalem."Individuals who are not members of foreign terrorist organisations but who do hold office in the unity government, we do not rule out contact with those individuals," said Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm, spokeswoman for the US consulate in Jerusalem.
It seems the US has decided to subtly change its stance towards the Palestinian government, says the BBC's Matthew Price in Jerusalem. It seems the US has decided to subtly change its stance towards the Palestinian government, our correspondent says.
The national unity government now contains ministers from a number of parties, including Fatah of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. By stating the US will deal with some ministers, Washington is bringing to an end the political isolation it helped to impose on the Palestinian government, our correspondent adds.
By stating the US will deal with some ministers, Washington is bringing to an end the political isolation it helped to impose on the Palestinian government, our correspondent says. Israel had hoped to be able to persuade the international community to maintain its boycott of the Palestinian government, which Israel deems unacceptable.
He says that other countries, most notably in Europe, have also signalled a similar change in stance.
Israel had hoped to be able to persuade the international community to maintain its boycott of the Palestinian government which Israel deems unacceptable.
'Implicit recognition''Implicit recognition'
On Sunday, the Palestinian cabinet held its first session in Gaza City and by video link in Ramallah. Mr Abbas was also present. On Sunday, the Palestinian cabinet held its first session in Gaza City and by video link in Ramallah.
Clashes between Fatah and Hamas gunmen have left scores deadClashes between Fatah and Hamas gunmen have left scores dead
The government pledged to tackle rampant lawlessness and end the crippling international aid freeze, imposed after Hamas won elections in January last year.The government pledged to tackle rampant lawlessness and end the crippling international aid freeze, imposed after Hamas won elections in January last year.
On Saturday, PM Ismail Haniya said his goal was the creation of a Palestinian state that included lands occupied by Israel in 1967. On Saturday, Prime Minister Ismail Haniya of Hamas said his goal was the creation of a Palestinian state that included lands occupied by Israel in 1967.
Our correspondent says that some see this as an implicit recognition of Israel's existence, in contrast with Hamas' past calls to eliminate the Jewish state.Our correspondent says that some see this as an implicit recognition of Israel's existence, in contrast with Hamas' past calls to eliminate the Jewish state.
Mr Abbas has appointed a senior official in his Fatah party, Mohammed Dahlan, as national security adviser. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed a senior official in his Fatah party, Mohammed Dahlan, as national security adviser.
Mr Dahlan is known to be a strong opponent of Hamas, and has been involved in frequent verbal clashes with its leaders.Mr Dahlan is known to be a strong opponent of Hamas, and has been involved in frequent verbal clashes with its leaders.