PA, Hamas differ on views of Geneva nuclear deal

Hamas concerned Israel to be sole regional power with nuclear and chemical weapons.

Netanyahu, Abbas 370 (photo credit: REUTERS/Jason Reed)
Netanyahu, Abbas 370
(photo credit: REUTERS/Jason Reed)
The Palestinian Authority expressed hope on Sunday that the nuclear deal reached between Iran and the six world powers would prompt the international community to play a larger role in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Nabil Abu Rudaineh, spokesman for the PA presidency, said the “international efforts that led to success in Geneva provide an opportunity to activate the Quartet [US, EU, UN and Russia] to assume its role in ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”
The Geneva accord, he added, “is an important message to Israel to realize that peace is the only option in the Middle East.”
Abu Rudaineh said that the PA wants a nuclear-free Middle East.
While the PA welcomed the accord, Hamas criticized the Geneva deal, saying it would make Israel feel safer in the absence of an Iranian nuclear threat.
“Israel will become the only country now with nuclear and chemical weapons,” said Musa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official.
He pointed out, however, that the deal would end Iran’s isolation and help its economy recover, allowing it to increase its influence worldwide.