2006年VOA标准英语-Hamas Announces Formation of New Palestini

（单词翻译）

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
18 March 2006

The Islamic militant¹ group Hamas is ready to assume power in the Palestinian Authority.  Hamas has rejected pressure at home and abroad to moderate its positions. 

 
Ismail Haniyeh  
  
Hamas Prime Minister-designate Ismail Haniyeh announced the formation of a new Palestinian government, but without moderate coalition² partners that might have helped the group win international recognition.  The defeated and more moderate Fatah party refused to join, because Hamas rejected international demands to renounce³ violence, recognize Israel and accept previous peace agreements.

So, Hamas, which seeks Israel's destruction, will formulate⁴ policy on its own.  It will hold key Cabinet portfolios⁵, such as foreign affairs and the Interior Ministry⁶, which controls the security forces.

Palestinian analyst⁷ Bassam Eid does not expect Hamas to change its militant platform.  "I don't think that very soon, Hamas is going to recognize the existence of the state of Israel," said Mr. Eid.

Israel plans to boycott⁸ the Hamas government, which it describes as a terrorist regime.

Israel has already cut off $50 million monthly tax payments to the Palestinian Authority, and it hopes that the U.S. and Europe will follow suit.

Israeli spokesman Mark Regev does not rule out military action, if there is an upsurge in terrorism. "I think we want to send a very clear message to this incoming, extremist Palestinian leadership, the new Hamas leadership," said Mr. Regev.  "And what we want to say to them is that, if you unilaterally break signed agreements, then you cannot be surprised, if Israel moves to defend its people, and to defend our interests."

Hamas has a message of its own.  The group's leader Khaled Mashaal said, if Israel opts⁹ for conflict, Hamas is prepared for "all out war."