Kofi Annan: new government offers hope of Palestinian unity
Jimmy Carter: elections should serve Palestinians’ aspirations for freedom
The Elders welcome the Palestinian unity government sworn in on Monday.
The Elders welcome the establishment of the long-awaited Palestinian unity government. They urge all nations to support the government as it works towards free and fair elections within the next six months.
The last elections in January 2006 set the scene for bitter internal conflict, exacerbated by external powers, that has persisted to this day.
Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders and former UN Secretary-General, said:
“The isolation of Gaza from the West Bank and divisions between Fatah and Hamas have had deeply damaging consequences for the peace process and for Palestinian aspirations for independence and an end to occupation. The social and economic damage to the long-suffering people of Gaza has been tragic and will take a long time to repair.
“The new government offers hope: hope of a road to renewed and united leadership; hope of a return to a more normal life and of economic activity for the Palestinians – while strengthening their ability to engage effectively with Israel in any further peace negotiations.”
read more:
http://theelders.org/article/elders-urge-international-support-interim-palestinian-government
