The strident tone with which the Israeli government, particularly its prime minister, responded to the new Palestinian national unity government is an indication that any time the Palestinians seek to take serious steps toward establishing their rights, Israel considers it a “provocation.” Such actions, in Israel’s view, excuses its ongoing policy of creeping settlements on an even larger scale. Accordingly, Israel announced June 5 that it would build 3,000 more settler housing units in response to the inauguration of the Palestinian unity government.

Housing Minister Uri Ariel issued notices inviting bids to construct 1,500 units, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered planning to proceed for a further 1,500.

In a theatrical reaction, Ariel told Israeli radio, “When Israel is spat upon, it has to do something about it.” What does that reveal? That any expected and normal step to unite the Palestinian people and reconcile their differences is taken as an insult to Israel’s design and objectives.

Both Fatah and Hamas realized that their unity was imperative if an independent Palestinian state is to be achieved. It appears that a divided Palestinian nation is a license for Israel to make more creeping annexations and expand the settlements. This Palestinian reconciliation and the government that emerged is treated as a “provocation” instead of a factor that will expedite the peace process for two independent states of Israel and Palestine.