Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., June 18, 2007 Tamuz 2, 5767 | | Israel Time: 17:34 (EST+7)
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Foreign Ministry Director-General Aharon Abramovich. (BauBau Archives)
Last update - 11:48 18/06/2007
FM: Don't break agreements with PA, set example for Hamas
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent

The Foreign Ministry is recommending against any violation of the Oslo Accords in response to Hamas's takeover of the Gaza Strip.

The ministry believes that any violation of an agreement by Israel would make it legitimate for Hamas not to recognize such deals, and would harm Israel's standing in the international community.

A written opinion submitted by ministry officials to the director-general, Aharon Abramovich, says that Israel should not do anything to violate existing agreements with the Palestinian Authority, and should particularly refrain from dismantling the customs union which Israel provides for the Gaza Strip.

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The document states that it is in Israel's supreme interest to prevent a humanitarian crisis, and therefore the supply of fuel, electricity, water and food to the Gaza Strip should not be suspended.

"Humanitarian problems in Gaza will cause damage on the international front against Hamas," the opinion reads.

The Foreign Ministry also recommends avoiding as far as possible, for now, any military activity along the Philadelphi route. Instead, they urge political steps be taken to pressure Egypt into dealing with the weapons smuggling across its border into Gaza.

With regard to the idea of deploying an international force in the Gaza Strip, the document states that such a move does not appear possible at the moment because of objections by Egypt and Hamas, and also because of a lack of willingness from countries around the world to provide troops for a task force.

However, the Foreign Ministry suggests that it might be possible at a later stage to deploy an international force at the border crossings because Hamas recognizes the importance of opening them.

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  1.   What will it take for Israel to grow a backbone? 04:20  |  Gili 18/06/07
  2.   Ease Humanitarian Crisis? 05:18  |  Paul II 18/06/07
  3.   yes show Hamas 05:32  |  Jerri i 18/06/07
  4.   A New Day! 06:21  |  Jim 18/06/07
  5.   Answer to #3: Jeri 06:26  |  Abe 18/06/07
  6.   foreign ministry, i.e. Livni. 06:50  |  sandra chitayat 18/06/07
  7.   this time fm wrong military action required before to late 06:52  |  ralph 18/06/07
  8.   FM did not clear it yet -There are no agreements -they all null 06:52  |  Sal 18/06/07
  9.   agreements with PA 06:59  |  BOB KING 18/06/07
  10.   How many hostages should Hamas be given? 07:33  |  Jonathan 18/06/07
  11.   Ahhh, Jerri is up with the zionist master plan 07:34  |  Johnboy 18/06/07
  12.   ISRAEL ABIDE BY AGREEMENTS??? 07:45  |  JOHN 18/06/07
  13.   Keep Gaza Sealed 08:03  |  Ron 18/06/07
  14.   Hurray for HAMAS! The good guys resisting Apartheid! 08:10  |  Lisa 18/06/07
  15.   What? Example? Hahaha! 08:31  |  Fritz 18/06/07
  16.   cut of water, electricity, gas to gaza until Shalit returned 09:32  |  don 18/06/07
  17.   Gil,moving Livni`s family to Sderot would make wonders 10:05  |  Absolute Sweden 18/06/07
  18.   Good for you Jerri i 10:54  |  Alfred 18/06/07
  19.   Endless Insanity 12:40  |  Dr. Dave 18/06/07
  20.   You are wrong . 13:53  |  Vital 18/06/07
  21.   Hamas 14:15  |  DovBer 18/06/07
  22.   Since when did Israel honour ANY agreements??? 15:25  |  Don Camillo 18/06/07
  23.   Nohting changes - this was written in 1994 16:15  |  Don Camillo 18/06/07
  24.   FM: Don`t break agreements with PA, set example for Hamas 16:27  |  Mark Lincoln 18/06/07
  25.   The whole Oslo gang most go 16:30  |  BobUSA 18/06/07
  26.   Wise words 17:13  |  Fortunja Benmayor 18/06/07
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