B’nai B’rith International has issued the following statement:

Monday’s swearing in of a Fatah-Hamas-backed Palestinian government can only result in dashed prospects for an Israeli-Palestinian peace process. By bringing a terrorist organization bent on Israel’s destruction as a 50-percent partner behind a government of “technocrats,” the inclusion of Hamas creates an irreconcilable obstacle to restarting negotiations.

Any “reconciliation” is unacceptable with a group that incites hate, is armed with thousands of rockets which they fire at Israel at will, has given no indication it has any inclination toward ending terror, dismantling its deadly arsenal and recognizing Israel. The Palestinian Authority has decided to accommodate terrorists rather than forge peace with Israel. Such a move by the Palestinians can only be seen as a speedy retreat from, rather than a move toward peace.

The news of the Fatah-Hamas pact came in late April, less than a week before Israeli-Palestinian peace talks were set to expire and forced the end of negotiations following months of dialogue.

B’nai B’rith is calling for an immediate review of Congressional funding for the Palestinians. With a terrorist organization now brought front and center into the Palestinian government, it is vitally important that Congress now look closely at the more than $500 million in total annual bilateral assistance.