Hamas warned of "dangerous consequences" if Palestinian Authority officials return to peace talks with Israel, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told reporters Friday.
President Mahmoud Abbas was the explicit target of the warning, and was told of the danger of returning to peace talks with Israel before Palestinian unity is achieved, as US pressure to return to negotiations mounts.
Hamas distributed the statement to journalists on Friday, saying the party considered negotiations with Israel as a dangerous confiscation of Palestinian rights and a denial of justice for the people.
"Any negotiations that go forward at this stage will simply act as a cover for the Judization of Jerusalem and continued attacks against the Palestinian people," Barhoum said.
The official statement called on Fatah and its leaders in the PA to respond to Hamas' call and take care of unity before peace talks go forward.
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