The US has suspended direct assistance to the Hamas-led Palestinian government, while increasing humanitarian aid to the Palestinians through UN agencies, the State Department said this evening.
"Because the new Hamas-led Palestinian government has failed to accept the Quartet principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel, and respect for previous agreements between the parties, the United States is suspending assistance to the Palestinian government's cabinet and ministries," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.
Quoting a statement by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, he said the suspension would be lifted if the Palestinian Cabinet met the terms laid out by the Quartet - the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia.
"The path back to the road map is clear: acceptance of the three principles. If it accepts the Quartet principles or a new government comes to power that accepts them, funding can be restored," the statement said.
US humanitarian aid to the Palestinians through UN relief agencies and non-governmental organizations that are not affiliated with the Palestinian Authority would be increased by 57 per cent this year to $245 million, he said.
The aid plan also includes an additional $42 million to strengthen civil society and independent institutions, the statement said.
Earlier today, the EU Commission said it had halted payments to the government because the new cabinet had not recognized Israel's right to exist or renounced violence. Hamas' charter officially calls for Israel's destruction.
The decision by the EU, which regards Hamas as a terrorist group, was condemned by Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader whose cabinet took office last week.