Palestinian parties condemn PA for unilateral appointment of new government

Four Palestinian political parties have written a joint statement condemning the Palestinian Authority's unilateral appointment of a new government. 

On Thursday, President Mahmoud Abbas appointed a new prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, after pressure from Washington to reform the administration. 

The joint statement, published on Friday, was signed by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Palestinian National Initiative. 

They said that forming a new government without national consensus was a "reinforcement of the policy of exclusivity and a deepening of division, at a pivotal historical moment, when our people and their national cause are in dire need of consensus and unity". 

"These steps indicate the depth of the crisis within the [PA's] leadership, its separation from reality, and the large gap between it and our people... which is confirmed by the opinions of the vast majority of our people who have expressed their loss of confidence."

The statement added that Palestinians needed a "unified national leadership", in preparation of free and fair elections with the participation of "all components of the Palestinian people". 

"We also call on all national forces and factions, especially the brothers in the Fatah movement, to take serious and effective action, in order to agree on managing this historical and pivotal stage," it said.

"In a way that serves our national cause, and fulfills the aspirations of our people to seize their legitimate rights, liberate their land and sanctities, and establish their independent, fully sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital."