The Palestinian minister of information, Mustafa Barghouti, called on Israel to reconsider its stance on the new Palestinian government and argued that a boycott of the government is a boycott of all Palestinians.

Barghouti said Israel should attentively read the government's political platform, which he says emphasizes the right of the Palestinian people to resist Israel's occupation without targeting civilians.

He also stressed that the new government represents 96 percent of all Palestinians and therefore, "whoever boycotts it also boycotts the entire Palestinian people."

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A meeting between Barghouti and Haaretz reporter Yoav Stern was initiated by the Mideast Press Club at the offices of Al-Hayat al-Jadida in Ramallah during the weekend.

Barghouti said that the Palestinian government, including its Hamas ministers, is committed to establishing a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, alongside Israel.

"Contrary to what people in Israel think, Khaled Meshal is a pragmatic, flexible man," Barghouti said. "Without his cooperation we would not have reached an agreement.

"If Israel opens its ears, it will hear that he is calling for two states," Barghouti added.