Abbas calls for referendum to recognize Israel

updated 6:03 p.m. ET June 5, 2006

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Monday he will call a referendum on a plan implicitly recognizing Israel after he failed to persuade Hamas to agree to the idea.

The Islamic militant Hamas, which heads the Palestinian government, strongly opposes a referendum.

“President Abbas will set a date for the referendum after the meeting Tuesday of the PLO Executive Committee and parliamentary caucuses,” his office said in a statement.

Abbas had set a midnight deadline for agreement. But a participant in late-night talks with Palestinian factions said the president determined they had failed an hour before that.

The Hamas-led government is facing international isolation over its refusal to renounce violence and recognize Israel. The United States, European Union and Israel have cut off cash transfers to the Palestinian government since Hamas won legislative elections earlier this year.

Its hard-line stance has landed it in an increasingly violent power struggle with Abbas and his Fatah party, the other main Palestinian faction. Since Hamas was sworn into office in March, Abbas has taken steps to curb its authorities.

The plan under discussion was formulated by Hamas and Fatah prisoners held in Israeli jails. But Hamas’ exiled leaders, who make final decisions on policy, have refused to accept the proposal.

Hamas has been calling for more time to discuss the proposal and suggested changes in the language. But Abbas, who has avoided confrontation since taking office early last year, rejected Hamas’ demands on Monday.

“If anyone wants to amend this document, then we will not reach any results,” Abbas told reporters after meeting with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

Abbas has endorsed the plan as a way to end the crushing sanctions against the Palestinians and allow him to resume peace talks with Israel.

Abbas’ opposition rejects referendum
Hamas reacted angrily to Abbas’ threats Monday.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri insisted that the talks must continue.

“You cannot raise the sword of ultimatum, you cannot raise the issue of a referendum while you are talking about dialogue,” he told reporters in Gaza. He said calling a referendum meant circumventing the elected government, led by Hamas.

Many Palestinians are uneasy about the referendum, though polls show the document would be approved easily.

In Gaza, Mohammed Abu Seido, 30, a coffee shop cashier, said he would vote for the document, but he worried that Hamas would react with violence if it is approved.

“Hamas is already failing,” he said.

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