Analyst's note: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that a new agreement between rival Palestinian factions Hamas (a terrorist organization that seeks the destruction of Israel) and Fatah is a "blow to peace," on the heels of the Israeli government cutting off Mideast peace talks over the announcement. Israel also said it plans to introduce economic sanctions against the Palestinian Authority, which will reportedly include withholding tax revenues collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinians. The Israeli move came after a five-hour meeting of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet. Afterward, Netanyahu called the Palestinian reconciliation deal a "giant leap backwards."
It is almost unbelievable, but a U.S. State Department spokeswoman acknowledged “some bumps in the road regarding this matter.” The spokeswoman went on to say ... in so many words .... that the U.S. remains committed to peace talks with our Islamic enemies (without using this term) led by Secretary of State John Kerry. Don't miss the video.
