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Palestinians consider new cabinet Israel shuns Palestinian cabinet
(about 2 hours later)
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has urged the West to end its boycott of the Palestinian Authority and recognise the new government of national unity. Israel has reiterated that it will not deal with the new Palestinian government of national unity that is expected to be approved shortly.
He was speaking at a parliamentary session called to approve the cabinet made of rival Fatah and Hamas factions. Israeli PM Ehud Olmert's spokeswoman accused the cabinet, made of rival Fatah and Hamas factions, of endorsing the use of "terror".
The approval of the government of prospective PM Ismail Haniya of Hamas is expected to be a formality. Palestinian PM-designate Ismail Haniya of Hamas said earlier statehood was the priority of his newly formed coalition.
The EU and UN have indicated there could be a softening, but Israel says the government is a step backwards. Palestinians hope the approval of the cabinet will end a Western boycott.
Finance minister The EU and UN have indicated there could be a softening of their stance.
The parliament opened its session shortly after 1100 local time (0900 GMT) to hear a speech from Mr Abbas, who is also the leader of Fatah. The vote of confidence in the government by Palestinian lawmakers is expected to be a formality.
Ismail Haniya seems likely to have his cabinet approved 'Resistance is terror'
"This national unity wedding has received an Arab and international welcome, which we hope will be transformed into practical steps to end the siege," he said. Israeli spokeswoman Miri Eisen told the BBC there had been no movement on demands for the new Palestinian government to recognise Israel and renounce violence.
Mr Abbas also said the Palestinian people "reject violence in all its forms", and called for "mutual commitment by Israel to stop all violence". Mahmoud Abbas called for an end to "the siege"
He said the Palestinians extended their hand to Israel to "achieve the peace of freedom and equality." "We have a brand new government, it won't recognise Israel, it won't renounce terror, it won't accept any of the former treaties, and that means that basically they're accepting the guidelines of the exact same Hamas government that we've had in the Palestinian Authority for the last year," she said.
Speaking after Mr Abbas, Prime Minister-designate Ismail Haniya began setting out the programme of his government. Ms Eisen was speaking after Mr Haniya set out the programme of his cabinet at a special parliamentary session in Gaza.
"The government affirms that resistance in all its forms, including popular resistance to occupation, is a legitimate right of the Palestinian people," he told lawmakers."The government affirms that resistance in all its forms, including popular resistance to occupation, is a legitimate right of the Palestinian people," he told lawmakers.
"Our people have the right to defend themselves from continuous Israeli aggression," Mr Haniya said."Our people have the right to defend themselves from continuous Israeli aggression," Mr Haniya said.
A spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the government would not be working with the incoming Palestinian cabinet, accusing it of endorsing the use of "terror". But he also said that his cabinet would work on maintaining a truce if Israel would stop its "occupation aggression".
The BBC's Matthew Price says that while Mr Haniya's speech will not go far enough for Israel, it is important that a senior member of Hamas has again called for the establishment of a Palestinian state on land occupied by Israel since 1967.
Our correspondent says that some see this as an implicit recognition of Israel's existence.
Earlier, lawmakers were addressed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who is also the leader of Fatah.
He said there should be an end to "the siege" - referring to the crippling Western embargo.
Mr Abbas also said the Palestinian people "reject violence in all its forms", and called for "mutual commitment by Israel to stop all violence".
Finance minister
The Palestinian economy has been badly hit by the embargo.
Clashes between Fatah and Hamas gunmen have left scores deadClashes between Fatah and Hamas gunmen have left scores dead
"This policy guideline that we have seen this morning includes in it, specifically, the way to achieve a Palestinian state is through resistance. Resistance is terror. Nobody should get that one wrong," spokeswoman Miri Eisin said.
If ratified, the ministers will be sworn in at Mr Abbas' office.
The Palestinian economy has been badly hit by the international embargo.
It was imposed after the election victory in January last year of Hamas, which rejects international calls for it to recognise Israel and renounce violence.It was imposed after the election victory in January last year of Hamas, which rejects international calls for it to recognise Israel and renounce violence.
The BBC's Matthew Price in Jerusalem says the new government contains a cross section of Palestinian parties, including some ministers who recognise Israel. The new government contains a cross section of Palestinian parties, including some ministers who recognise Israel, our correspondent says.
As a result, he says, UN and EU sources have indicated there will be a softening in their stance towards the government.As a result, he says, UN and EU sources have indicated there will be a softening in their stance towards the government.
The US has also indicated it may leave the door open to some contact with the proposed finance minister.The US has also indicated it may leave the door open to some contact with the proposed finance minister.
Salam Fayyad is a Western-backed economist who is thought to be respected by the Bush administration.Salam Fayyad is a Western-backed economist who is thought to be respected by the Bush administration.
One US official said Washington would not deal with him officially but might consider unofficial contacts.
Israel, however, said it would shun the new administration.Israel, however, said it would shun the new administration.
Deputy Defence Minister Ephraim Sneh said on Friday that Israel should try to deal with only Mr Abbas as a means to "drive Hamas out of power".Deputy Defence Minister Ephraim Sneh said on Friday that Israel should try to deal with only Mr Abbas as a means to "drive Hamas out of power".
Increasing lawlessnessIncreasing lawlessness
Although there have been signs of a softening in the international stance towards the new government, particularly by France and Russia, there are no guarantees the international boycott will end.Although there have been signs of a softening in the international stance towards the new government, particularly by France and Russia, there are no guarantees the international boycott will end.
Britain has said it will only have diplomatic contact with non-Hamas members of the government.Britain has said it will only have diplomatic contact with non-Hamas members of the government.
The US says the administration must accept Israel's right to exist, renounce violence and conform to past peace deals but has otherwise reserved judgment.
The new administration was forged after several months of fighting between the Hamas and Fatah factions left more than 140 people dead.The new administration was forged after several months of fighting between the Hamas and Fatah factions left more than 140 people dead.
Saturday's vote comes amid increasing lawlessness in the Gaza Strip.Saturday's vote comes amid increasing lawlessness in the Gaza Strip.
There has been a series of abductions over recent months of Western aid workers and journalists. Intensive efforts are continuing to find missing BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston, who is feared kidnapped.There has been a series of abductions over recent months of Western aid workers and journalists. Intensive efforts are continuing to find missing BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston, who is feared kidnapped.
On Friday, Palestinian gunmen fired on a vehicle transporting UN aid official John Ging in the northern Gaza Strip.