GAZA, May 11 (UPI) -- The Hamas-led Palestinian government dismissed an Israeli ultimatum to modify its policies as nothing more than a ploy.
Government Spokesman Ghazi Hamad said Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's six-month ultimatum is "yet another maneuver aimed at misleading the international public opinion to cover up Israel's aggressive plans against the Palestinian people.
"It is no secret that the Israeli government is trying by any means to pass its conspiracies against the Palestinians and fulfill its settlement policies," Hamad said.
He charged that the Israeli government is becoming more inflexible and not ready to accept any political settlement, claiming that Israel's main concern is the demarcation of a border that usurps the largest possible part of Palestinian land.
"The Israeli government does not recognize any political initiative, be it the road map or the Arab peace initiative or any other agreements signed previously with the Palestine Liberation Organization," Hamad added.
He said the Palestinian government already warned against Israel's covert plans and called on the international community, especially the Quartet Committee, to bring an end to the occupation which lies at the core of the conflict in the region.
The United States, Israel and the European Union have called on Hamas to recognize Israel, abandon violence and acknowledge past agreements between Israel and Palestinian leadership.
