Tony Blair voiced hope for Israeli rapprochement with “sensible” Hamas leaders in the Palestinian Authority. “It’s far easier to deal with the situation in Palestine if there is a national unity government,” Blair told Parliament ahead of his meeting Wednesday with visiting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He said he is still hoping for a breakthrough between Israel and the new coalition between Abbas’ Fatah faction and the governing Hamas. At a joint news conference after the meeting, Blair insisted on P.A. recognition of Israel and praised Abbas’ commitment to peace.
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