2007年VOA标准英语-Israel: Palestinian Unity Gov't Does Not Meet I

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
09 February 2007

Israel has given a cool reception to the formation of a Palestinian national unity¹ government. Agreement on the new government was reached Thursday at a summit in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Under the deal, the ruling Islamic militant² group Hamas will share power with the rival and more moderate Fatah faction³. Robert Berger reports from the VOA bureau in Jerusalem.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, left, listens to Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, during their meeting in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 8 Feb 2007

Israel says the platform of the new Palestinian unity government does not meet international conditions for the lifting of sanctions against Hamas.

"The Europeans, the Americans, the international community is fundamentally having a consensus⁴ here, which is: Hamas must one, recognize our country, Israel's, right to exist; two, they have to totally and unconditionally⁵ renounce⁶ terrorism and violence; and three, they have to come on line with the peace process, accepting the signed agreements," said Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev.

 

While Hamas agreed to "respect" previous peace agreements, Israel says that does not go far enough. And there was no mention at all in the coalition⁷ agreement of recognizing Israel or renouncing⁸ violence. Hamas seeks Israel's destruction through armed struggle, and officials from the group said recognition of the Jewish state is not on the table.

Therefore, Israel believes the sanctions that have crippled the Hamas-led government should remain in place.

"Now, if Hamas has painted itself into the corner, they've got no one to blame but themselves," said spokesman Mark Regev.

 

But the Palestinians believe Hamas has made sufficient concessions⁹ to lift the sanctions. Former Palestinian Cabinet Minister Ghassan Khattib of Fatah.

"A national unity government is good news because it will allow for a political platform which hopefully will enable the international community to resume the aid and support to the Palestinian people," said former Palestinian Cabinet Minister Ghassan Khattib of Fatah.

The United States and European Union gave a cautious but reserved welcome to the Palestinian power sharing agreement. They said they will wait and see how the new unity government lives up to demands to work with Israel as a peace partner and respects existing peace agreements, before lifting sanctions.

1 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

2 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

3 faction   

n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争

参考例句：

• Faction and self-interest appear to be the norm.派系之争和自私自利看来非常普遍。
• I now understood clearly that I was caught between the king and the Bunam's faction.我现在完全明白自己已陷入困境，在国王与布纳姆集团之间左右为难。

4 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

5 unconditionally   

adv.无条件地

参考例句：

• All foreign troops must be withdrawn immediately and unconditionally. 所有外国军队必须立即无条件地撤出。
• It makes things very awkward to have your girls going back unconditionally just now! 你们现在是无条件上工，真糟糕！ 来自子夜部分

6 renounce   

v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系

参考例句：

• She decided to renounce the world and enter a convent.她决定弃绝尘世去当修女。
• It was painful for him to renounce his son.宣布与儿子脱离关系对他来说是很痛苦的。

7 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

8 renouncing   

v.声明放弃( renounce的现在分词 )；宣布放弃；宣布与…决裂；宣布摒弃

参考例句：

• He enraged the government by renouncing the agreement. 他否认那项协议，从而激怒了政府。 来自辞典例句
• What do you get for renouncing Taiwan and embracing Beijing instead? 抛弃台湾，并转而拥抱北京之后，你会得到什么？ 来自互联网

9 concessions   

n.（尤指由政府或雇主给予的）特许权( concession的名词复数 )；承认；减价；（在某地的）特许经营权

参考例句：

• The firm will be forced to make concessions if it wants to avoid a strike. 要想避免罢工，公司将不得不作出一些让步。
• The concessions did little to placate the students. 让步根本未能平息学生的愤怒。