US will work with new Palestinian unity government despite Israeli concerns

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration intends to work with the new Palestinian government despite Israeli concerns it gives power and influence to the radical Hamas movement.

Secretary of State John Kerry called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to relay the U.S. position, which will almost certainly draw criticism from Israel and its supporters in Congress and elsewhere. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki announced the call but could offer no further details. Netanyahu says the new government should be shunned because it leans on support from Hamas.

Psaki said the U.S. will continue to send aid to the Palestinians, but will watch closely the composition and policies of what she called the “interim technocratic government.”