Israel denies entry of Gaza ministers to Ramallah for inauguration of unity government

The Israeli government has officially informed the Palestinian Authority that it will not allow three ministers from the Gaza Strip to enter Ramallah on Monday to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of the national unity government.

The decision means that Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai has turned down the request by the PA to allow the Gazan ministers to cross into Ramallah.

A source in the Israeli government described the national unity government as “a very negative step”, stressing that no negotiation will be carried out with a unity government in which Hamas has taken part.

Israel will, from now on, hold Mahmoud Abbas responsible for any violence committed by Hamas, including firing of rockets from Gaza, the source told Voice of Israel.