Starting Sunday, Israel will gradually reduce ties to the Palestinian Authority, in response to Hamas’ rise to power. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will present for the government’s approval the initial steps Israel will take following Saturday’s swearing in of the Palestinian Legislative Council (parliament) and the decision to have Hamas form the new PA government. Additional steps will be taken as Hamas’ hold on the PA expands. At a meeting Friday with Olmert, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and the heads of the defense establishment presented their recommendations for Israel’s response. Olmert refrained from making decisions and announced that he would formulate his position in time for the cabinet meeting Sunday morning. He scolded the others for premature reports in recent days regarding punitive measures and economic sanctions Israel would impose on the Palestinians, and announced that the discussion was classified and subject to a media blackout. A variety of opinions were presented. Mofaz took the toughest line, demanding a series of immediate steps against the PA. In a conversation earlier with the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, Mofaz said: „We cannot talk to a terrorist organization with the blood of thousands of Israelis on its hands. Israel insists that Hamas recognize it, disarm and move forward in accordance with the road map. If that does not happen, and Hamas continues implementing its plan to take over the PA, then we will be faced in the coming years with a terrorist authority that we cannot accept.” .
According to Mofaz, Hamas is striving to obtain funds from Iran and guidance on how to lead the PA. He warned that Hamas will take steps to appear responsible, „but that is a honey trap intended to buy them quiet to get organized.” He said the Palestinians are currently planning major terrorist attacks and are trying to dig tunnels beneath the Erez and Karni crossings to smuggle explosives. „We are taking a big risk in leaving the crossings open,” Mofaz said, „but we’re doing this because we understand that it is the lifeline for the Palestinian populace.” Less harsh recommendations came from the team Olmert had appointed – his adviser Dov Weissglas, Chief of Staff Dan Halutz, Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin, head of the political-security branch at the Defense Ministry, Amos Gilad, and the director general of the Foreign Ministry, Ron Prosor. The team suggested acting gradually, to preserve international support, and giving PA chair Mahmoud Abbas limited time to demand that Hamas’ government meet the Quartet’s principles: disavowing violence, recognizing Israel and accepting previous agreement. National Security Council head Giora Eiland, who was asked to present counter-proposals to Weissglas’ team, suggested a different scale of graduated pressure. He was softer on some issues, harsher on others. The Foreign Ministry took the most lenient stance. Livni criticized the reports following Mofaz’s consultation with defense officials on Thursday that implied Israel was about to impose severe sanctions on the Palestinians, such as severing the Gaza Strip from the West Bank. Those reports were quoted in the international media and hurt Israel’s image, Livni said. Olmert closed the discussion with an announcement that he would not make any decisions over the weekend, to avoid the appearance of Israeli interference in the swearing in of the Palestinian parliament. Olmert will convene his advisers Sunday to draft the proposal he will bring to the government.
BPI-info
BPI-info
