""Any renewed cooperation between Fatah and Hamas will be, from our point of view, a breakdown of the political process," Olmert said.
Abbas vowed not to resume any such cooperation, a political source said Monday." - Haaretz (17 July, 2007)
The realistic thing to do is to bring Hamas quickly into the political process. Rather than impeding the cooperation by Abbas and Hamas (see above), Israel can pressure Abbas to compromise. Saudi Arabia and the Arab League will do the rest and arrange for a Unity Government in the PA which would allow Abbas to negotiate with Israel, and a referendum to follow. (Hamas agrees to this.) Of course, Hamas will gain a say on the peace deal from behind the scenes and this will make it tougher for Israel, but not undoable. For example, Hamas will not agree to building new houses in Givat Zeev while the negotiations go on, but this will be good for a final deal.
Another consequence of Israel accepting the unity government will be the lifting of the siege on Gaza and having a cease fire enforced by Abbas and Hamas. No more distractions and Gaza incursions by IDF.
Will Olmert do it? No. He does not have the vision, nor would he give up the 8% of the West Bank (plus the Jordan Valley, plus parts of East Jerusalem) that he wants to grab. |
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