MESS Report / Abbas fears Hamas could still play spoiler to peace talks
Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar has said the group wants to liberate the West Bank just as it liberated the Gaza Strip.
By Amos Harel and Avi IssacharoffA few seconds after the speeches by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (who said little new ), came smiles, a warm handshake and an intimate conversation between the two leaders. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sat between them, nodding. Netanyahu and Abbas have never before been seen so close to each other.
That may be the main reason for optimism ahead of the expected wrestling match between the two leaders' teams in the negotiations that lie ahead.
Until Thursday, Netanyahu and Abbas conveyed a sense of mutual contempt. If even the slightest amount of trust has been created between them, this would be the greatest American achievement so far.
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Mahmoud Zahar. |
| Photo by: AP |
But in just three weeks, the two face a challenge: the end of the construction freeze in the territories. There was consensus in Ramallah yesterday among both Abbas' Fatah party and his inner circle that if the moratorium does not continue, Abbas will not be able to continue the direct talks.
That would mean a prolonged impasse, at least until the next elections in Israel. And for the 75-year-old PA president, it would also deal a blow to his own standing and that of his party in the territories, leading many Palestinians to conclude that Hamas was right and force is the only language Israel understands.
Aware of the huge effort the Islamist group is investing in torpedoing the talks, Abbas told Netanyahu that the PA security forces were doing everything possible to catch the perpetrators of Tuesday's shooting attack near Hebron.
Both Israeli and Palestinian sources said the security forces have a lead to the identity of the perpetrators and Thursday's dragnet may have captured one of them.
Another positive development is that, unlike in the past, Israel did not blame the PA for the attacks. On the contrary, Israel holds the PA security forces in high esteem.
An Israeli officer who has been following developments said, only half jokingly, that over the past two days, the PA security forces have arrested every Palestinian who said the word Hamas more than twice a day.
But the PA fears that unknown sleeper cells might perpetrate attacks in the hope of provoking a harsh Israeli response, or settler violence, that would force Abbas to halt the talks.
Over the past few weeks, PA forces have stopped many couriers bringing cash from abroad to Hamas. They are teachers, doctors and merchants. Such people are a real threat to the PA: Coming in below its intelligence radar, these individuals could commit the next terror attack.
The money trail reveals that Hamas had been making increasing use of Palestinian businessmen working overseas. They buy merchandise abroad with Hamas money, sell it and give the money to Hamas operatives in the West Bank.
Hamas, for its part, is not even trying to hide its intentions. On Thursday, senior Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar said the group wants to liberate the West Bank just as it liberated the Gaza Strip. That means more attacks in the near future.
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Mazen fears Hammasses? Hell man he's hoping for it. DUH!!!!!!!!
Mr.Abbas and Netanyahu must start talking to Hamas and bring it to negotiation.
If hamas dares to try and take over the west bank, it shoulod be made clear that an attack on west bank could cause the collapse of the peace talks, thus this attack would trigger an israeli response which would come to the assitance of PA security and assit in taking out hamas . Together they could achive more and hamas could be destroyed. can teh two parties agree on this..who knows. It would be a precedent and it could cement a peace deal forever They day Jews and Arabs stood together to fight a common threat
Does anyone really believe that Abu Mazen has any desire to make "comprehensive, durable, long-lasting peace"? He is the same man he was as an "event planner" with the PLO. The actions of Hamas merely serve as a convenient foil with which to excuse any real progress on his own part.
.... to understand that following Arafat's and now Hamas' "resistance", has resulted after 60 years of following it, in the situation in which Palestine finds itself right now. And that is what Zahar is preaching to continue in the next 60 years.... death and more death....without end. While Abbas is trying peace and life.
So,israel needs to talk to Hamas and put an end to bloodshed in both sides.One never lose anything by talking!
The majority-elected Netanyahu government by definition represents 100% of Israel's population and territory. By contrast, the "negotiating partner", Abbas and the PLO, losers in the last election, and in the Gaza coup, represent only half the other side. Half the population in the territories is represented by the rejectionist Hamas rocketocracy regime, who reject peace, the talks and anything Abbas agrees to. "Construction" should not be discussed any further unless and until the Obama and Abbas regimes present Israel with a guaranteed and credible plan, in the event of an agreement, to disarm and dismantle Hamas and enforce its adherence to all the terms Abbas agrees to. Otherwise, its like paying cash up front to buy a car from an out-of-business used car dealer, who has no way to get back in business or acquire inventory. Its nuts, this has to be the 1st order of business, or "talks" by Abbas are in bad faith and a fraud.
if the moratorium(settlement freeze) does not continue, Abbas will not be able to continue the direct talks.
Let us make a few observations: 1.The Hamas attacks took place in the West Bank, not in Israel proper; 2. The victims were settlers (due to the location); 3. The attacks were not of the sophisticated variety: No car bombing, IED, or home penetration, only an easy to accomplish "drive-by shooting". How does one explain this lack of sophistication on the part of Hamas, the experts in bomb making?It was not for lack of time to plan the attacks, since the peace process was known to get restarted for about a month now. The simple answer is that Hamas is greatly weakened in the West Bank, due to the many arrests following their military wing becoming illegal in the PA. And Hamas couldn't make it to Israel proper since the 'security fence" has been completed (despite resistance by the settlers to its very existence. CONCLUSION: Things are working quite well, thank you. And once the settlers leave the West Bank, Israel has the way to prevent terrorist penetration into its area. Let Israel hurry up with the peace process and save those settler fanatics from harming all of us financially and diplomatically, and harming themselves physically.
The PA security apparatus, of which Abbas is head, has clearly been working in close cooperation with Isreal. It's no secret, there have been plenty articles spelling out the facts (here included). It's time to give up the false shadowboxing and starting putting things on the table. As for Hamas, well of corse they object as these peace talks are between the Palestinians in the West Bank and Israel ... Gaza is explicitly excluded. Now if Hamas and West Bank militant groups had any real power there there wouldn't even be a US sponsored PA security apparatus in the West Bank. Sure the attempt to extend it to Gaza failed miserably but clearly in the West Bank its a different story. Its time for realpolitik, time for clarity and gettng something done (even if imperfect).
Think? Do you also think this "peace meeting" was really about PA / Israel? All Arab nations have been put on notice by Iran. Peace talks just cosmetic.
the other article today read that Abas and Bibi were ici to each other.,.. this one reads they were warm.
What part of *NEVER* don't you understand ??? Hamas needs to be destroyed, for the sake of the Palestinian people. They are bring suffering and pain to their citizens. When they are off the stage, the citizens will live in prosperity. Until then, more disaster and abuse for the Palestinians.
So,it is up to Hamas to be realistic and join the peace talks and put an end to its People´s sufferings.
hamas needs to stop killing, recognize all agreements signed. It knows this but wants to be the spoiler. It cannot make teh transition from terror to peace Arafat could not eaither.
I applaud that Haaretz has published this article. Very little is discussed in this paper to analyze the political environment of the Palestinian leadership(s). Peace isn't going to happen unless the Palestinian camp can make peace. It is not all just about "us", and what Bibi does or does not do. I respectfully ask Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff to consider three issues, and how they see we can make peace in this environment. Please put the Bibi bashing bat away for a moment. It takes two to tango. We cannot make peace with the Palestinians if they are not ready/able. The issues: 1. The Palestinian leadership is split into two regimes ruling from two different regions. the PA hates and distrusts Hammas almost (if not more) than they hate Israel, and vice versa. If Abbas is to make any concessions at all, Hammas will try to torpedo this immediately. 2. Abbas himself is not particularly loved within the West Bank either, and many West Bank Arabs consider his ruling PA party as one infested with corruption and nepotism, one reason why Hamas has found favor for so many. 3. Enter outside meddling from Iran especially, but also from other Middle Eastern elements (particularly Syria and Lebanon) who exert a great influence on the activities of the Palestinians, and don't want a peace agreement to happen. Put these all together, and we have a most incredibly difficult task for Mahmoud Abbas to make a real, and lasting peace agreement with Israel and the Palestinian people. I would be delighted if Haaretz would treat these issues with the gravity that they should deserve. Sidestepping them will not make these issues disappear.
Both Hamas and the Settlers are working hard at destroying the peace talks. The longer Abbas and Netanyahu drag out the negotiations the more lives and land that will be lost.
Settlements in Gaza and Sinai were not an obstacle to anything and were withdrawn. By contrast, Abbas doesn't speak for HALF the Palestinian Arabs, the other half totally reject any peace with Israel and vow to fight on forever to destroy Israel. These are not good faith negotiations. Abbas can't deliver on peace no matter what Israel gives him, so Jewish settlements are irrelevant. If Obama wants any more "freezes", he's going to have to fix this first in a way that is credible - or why give Abbas anything? Right?
It never stops surprising me how all those powers that are involved in the peace process between Israel & the PA Authority are trudging along without taking into account 1/3 of the other Palestinians: The Gaza People. Even among politicians there must be a certain amount of honesty..How can there be any agreement without Gaza (Hamas). Some likely scenarios: a) A civil war between Hamas-Gaza & the PA Authority. b) Hamas will do everything in its power to disrupt the rapprochement between Israel & the PA. c) In case Hamas goes all out to attack Israel,' Cast Lead' will pale into insignificance. d) Solution: A way will have to be found to contain Hamas,& bring her into the fold of negotiations,even if one has to vomit all the way !. But really if anyone thinks that it is possible to leave out Hamas .Come & explain & tell us in vivid terms,directly & honestly. how it is going to be done.
Abbas doesnt have the power to sign. Palestinians view him as a traiter. whaerver s agreed upon will mean nothing because Palestinians will not considere them selves obliged to accept any agreement
Hamas has the solution Hamas is the powerful force in Gaza and West Bank and other regions. The negotiation with Abbas is a waste of time. We need to understand what Hamas want before it is too late. We Should give Hamas the West Bank soon. Otherwise, tomorrow Hamas will take it by force and start targeting other Lid and Tel Aviv . Hamas possess the solution
Hamas possesses the solution? To what? Their own destruction? Use your brain a bit more.
agree. with their Mickey Mouse firework will make the West Bank and israel sky look nice! Enoug is enough!
Hamas&associates will forever spoil any peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. Indeed who are they and their supporters both locally and overseas going to scapegoat,demonise and dehumanise if Israel is at peace with the Palestinians. No matter what concessions Israel makes it will never be enough. Peace agreement =Piece of useless paper.Why do they bother?
Mr. Abbas ... What peace? They, the Zionists, can't even promise to stop building settelments on ILLEGALLY occupied land in the West Bank ... Wake UP
Regards, Antoine GED
The world most powerful leaders are either suffering of political blindness or of egoistic foolishness. How they support a man (Abbas)who clearly works against a secure future for his people?! , and why they support and encourage a fascist , expansionist leaders .....?!
I was always under the impression that Hamas felt that Gaza was a prison under Israeli occupation but now they seem to be saying Gaza is free and they would like to liberate the West Bank just like they liberated Gaza.
Maybe someone can hire a rat to chew that thing of Zaher's nose.
The world can't understand why there is no solution to the Israel-Palestinian problem. The Palestinians have not accepted Israel as a Jewish-majority state. They want to replace it with a Palestinian-Moslem majority state. The Palestinians have no central authority capable of controlling the gunmen on their territory. How can anyone expect the Jews to take the idea of peace with them seriously?