WarSclerotic

Kerry said that “based on what we know now about the composition of this technocratic government, which has no ministers affiliated with Hamas…we will work with it as we need to as is appropriate, on a day to day evaluation.” Marie Harf, the deputy spokesperson for the Secretary of State, stated Tuesday that the US views the interim Palestinian Authority government as “not supported in the hands of Hamas.” She stressed that the government is largely composed of people who are not politically associated and that the main function of the interim government is to help prepare and establish new parliamentary elections.

In addition, Harf pointed out that Prime Minister Hamdallah, his two deputies and the economy minister remained in their respective positions in the interim government, so there was no need to change the US approach and relationship with the Palestinian Authority. “We have no ties to Hamas, and we will provide no assistance to the organization,” added Harf, who also said that the new Palestinian Authority government will be judged by its actions and its compliance with the principles established by the Middle East Quartet.