Last update - 00:00 26/11/2006
Arms smuggling must stop
By Ze'ev Schiff
Israel does not object to the establishment of a Palestinian government of "technocrats" comprised of both Hamas and Fatah representatives, but it has a clear interest in ensuring that such a government does not serve as a cover for the ongoing violence against Israel. Thus Israel's attitude toward this government will depend not only on whether kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit is released, but also on whether Hamas controls the Palestinian security services, as it wishes, and whether massive arms smuggling into Gaza continues.
Shalit's release is being delayed not only due to Iranian and Syrian pressure on Hamas. His kidnappers included members of two different organizations, Hamas and the Popular Resistance Committees, and while the former is conducting the negotiations, the latter, an extremist and anarchic group, has demands of its own.
The Shin Bet security service says the nature of the Palestinian Authority's new government will depend on who controls the PA security services. Hamas is demanding control of the Interior Ministry, which controls these services. But PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas wants to retain at least partial control over these services via a proposed reorganization - an idea that Hamas rejects.
Abbas has promised Hamas that if a technocratic government is established, the international economic boycott of the Hamas-led PA will be lifted, even if Israel objects. But Israel argues that it would be a grave mistake to end the boycott without Hamas' meeting the international community's demands (recognizing Israel, accepting previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements and renouncing violence).
Israel also says that any Hamas-Fatah deal must end the massive arms smuggling into Gaza. It is inconceivable that Israel should end its own boycott of the PA as long as this smuggling continues: That would mean that even as Hamas prepares for war, Israel would be obliged to make life easier for arms smugglers who say agreements with Israel should be broken. And any pledge to end the violence is meaningless as long as the smuggling continues.
The Shin Bet says that in addition to 33 tons of explosives, the Palestinians have smuggled some 20,000 weapons into Gaza. Moreover, money and Hezbollah agents continue to enter Gaza through the official crossings: Just last week, a Hamas parliamentarian smuggled some NIS 10 million through one of these crossings. Meanwhile, Qassam rockets are being launched nonstop.