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Israel suspends peace talks after Palestinian factions announce unity government

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas "needs to choose between peace with Israel and an accord with Hamas."

By JC Finley
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured on March 12, 2014. (UPI/Ronen Zvulun/Pool)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured on March 12, 2014. (UPI/Ronen Zvulun/Pool) | License Photo

TEL AVIV, Israel, April 24 (UPI) -- Israel reacted strongly to news that two leading Palestinian factions were forming a unity government, suspending peace talks.

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said Wednesday "It is impossible to make peace both with Israel and Hamas."

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"Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas] needs to choose between peace with Israel and an accord with Hamas," declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Israeli security cabinet met for six hours on Wednesday before deciding to suspend the U.S.-brokered peace talks. A second meeting was scheduled for Thursday.

It is unclear how long the suspension will last.

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