The Palestinian unity government will be unveiled on June 6 according to the Ma’an news agency. Cabinet positions are reportedly going to be filled by technocrats rather than loyalists of the Fatah and Hamas factions, a distinction the Palestinians hope will provide a hook for western nations to side-step respective national laws and policies prohibiting relations with a government that includes Hamas because it is listed as a terrorist organization. In Washington, the administration has steadfastly insisted on waiting to see the implementation of the unity agreement before deciding what course it will pursue, but strong bi-partisan agreement in Congress is to uphold the law that prohibits any dealings with Hamas until it forswears violence; recognizes Israel; and accepts agreements signed by previous governments. The Palestinian government will be empowered for one year after which time elections are expected to take place. The roster of ministers will be approved by the Palestinian Legislative Council which has been idle since Hamas wrested the Gaza Strip away from Fatah in 2007.