Palestinian parliament approves Hamas cabinet

GAZA (Reuters) – Hamas won a Palestinian parliamentary vote
of confidence in its cabinet on Tuesday, the final formality
before the Islamic militant group takes office.

The vote was 71 legislators in favor to 36 against. The
result was expected to favor Hamas since the group has a
majority in parliament after winning January elections.

It took place on the same day that Israel held a general
election.

Hamas prime minister-designate Ismail Haniyeh has said the
cabinet would be sworn in by Wednesday.

On Monday when he presented the cabinet for approval to
parliament, Haniyeh called for talks with Western powers to try
to reach a “just peace” in the Middle East but showed no sign
of softening the group’s stance on Israel.

Formally committed to the Jewish state’s destruction, Hamas
is rejected as a peace partner by Israel and much of the West.

The Quartet of Middle East mediators — the United States,
the European Union, Russia and the United Nations — has said
Hamas must recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept past
peace agreements or risk losing vital aid.

Hamas’s broad governing agenda calls for resistance by any
means to end Israeli occupation. It also seeks to eradicate
corruption and create jobs.

Israel has vowed not to deal with the Hamas government. It
has already cut tax revenue transfers to the Palestinian
Authority that Hamas will control.

The 24-member cabinet is dominated by Hamas loyalists after
all other Palestinian factions refused to join.

President Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate who seeks a Palestinian
state alongside Israel, has appealed for Hamas to change. Hamas
trounced his long-dominant Fatah faction in the January polls.