There is no mutual cease-fire agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians -- each side has made its own unilateral declaration of a cease-fire.

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But if the United States wants to renounce possession of chemical weapons, we could better do so through a unilateral declaration of policy.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Toxic treaty: how not to ban chemical weapons

Both Israel and the US have said they will not deal with Hamas, and have until now opposed a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood.

BBC: Egypt urges US to back Palestinian state declaration

Palestinian officials have denied reports that Mr Arafat contemplated using that speech to take the drastic step of a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood.

ECONOMIST: Looking beyond Arafat | The

If the sense takes hold that there is daylight between Washington and Jerusalem, the problem will not be confined to the train-wreck in the making of yet-another Palestinian unilateral declaration of independence.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

The new call marks a move away from Egypt's past compliance with the United States and Israel, which have strongly opposed the Palestinian authority's campaign to win backing for a unilateral declaration of statehood.

BBC: Egypt urges US to back Palestinian state declaration

Coalition President Moaz al-Khatib is known to oppose the unilateral declaration of an interim government, fearing it would deepen divisions and impede any progress towards a transitional body which could bring about a transfer of power.

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