Britain to talk with non-Hamas ministers

By Adam Entous

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Britain, in a break with Israel, will allow diplomatic contacts with non-Hamas ministers in a new Palestinian unity government but will continue to shun members of the Islamist group, European diplomats said Friday.

"Britain is not going to have contact with Hamas but there are members of the government who are not Hamas and British diplomats will be able to have contact with them," a senior diplomat briefed on the new position told Reuters.

The diplomatic shift runs counter to Israel's decision to shun the entire unity cabinet.

Britain's position is significant because of the country's close relationship with the United States, which was expected to adopt Israel's line.

In talks with European leaders, senior Israeli officials had argued that allowing contacts with non-Hamas ministers would undermine U.S. and Israeli efforts to isolate the Hamas-led government until it recognises the Jewish state, renounces violence and accepts interim peace deals.

PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL

A formal British announcement is expected after the unity government between Hamas Islamists and President Mahmoud Abbas's secular Fatah faction wins parliamentary approval on Saturday.

"We will judge the national unity government on its actions and respond accordingly," a British Foreign Office spokesman said.  Continued...