Hamas fury over West's funding threats

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2006

GAZA CITY (AFP) — The new Hamas-led Palestinian government found itself immediately confronted Thursday by threats from the West to slash its funding even as ministers were handed the reins of power.

Finance minister Omar Abdelrazeq accused the so-called Middle East quartet of ignoring the results of January's election after the group warned of dire consequences for Palestinian funding if Hamas does not modify its hardline stance.

Before the quartet (the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States) issued its statement, Canada had also provoked Palestinian anger by becoming the first Western nation to formally freeze all its aid.

The Hague later said the Netherlands would also boycott the Hamas government but would continue to meet...