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Israeli Cabinet Voices Concern Over Hamas Part in Palestinian Elections

Posted on: Sunday, 22 January 2006, 12:00 CST

Text of report by political correspondent Shmuel Tal broadcast by Israel radio on 22 January

Today's cabinet session was the last meeting before the PNA [Palestinian National Authority] elections. According to one of the less encouraging scenarios painted by the security officials who briefed the cabinet today, confrontations will start after the voting, perhaps even during the voting. The territories will heat up, and this will create great difficulties for the defence establishment.

At present, acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is in session with Defence Minister Shaul Mufaz, Foreign Minister and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, and senior Shin Bet and IDF [Israel Defence Forces] Intelligence Branch officials, with the aim of planning for the day after the PNA elections, against the background of assessments that Hamas will garner at least 30 per cent of the votes, if not more - to the point of being able to form the next PNA government. There is an assessment, however, that even if it is able to, Hamas will not be genuinely interested in forming the government and will prefer to preserve a low profile and be in charge of less conspicuous portfolios.

Minister Tzahi Hanegbi told us that if Hamas comes to power, this would constitute a problem not only for Israel:

[Hanegbi - recording] Hamas participation in the Palestinian government, not to mention Hamas control over this government, would entail a tragic meaning for the Palestinians - both in terms of their international status and of their ability to maintain the dialogue with Israel. The big question is: what should Israel do? Today the cabinet will discuss this; we will have to examine all the alternatives, because we should further the Israeli interest of reaching an arrangement. [End of recording]

Well, this is what the cabinet discussed today, but apparently it did not reach any conclusions on how to solve the problems. Minister Avraham Herschson told us that Israel should wait. Israel is not intervening in these elections because they are not its elections. Israel should wait for the results, and only then decide what to do:

[Herschson - recording] We must realize that these elections are being conducted with an international understanding that they are part of the fight against the terrorist organizations. There is also an international understanding regarding the fact that a situation wherein there is an organization that is part of the government, while at the same time it is involved in terrorism, is inconceivable.

As for what is going to happen, the cabinet did not discuss this issue. We will not intervene. This issue is extremely sensitive. Consequently, the cabinet is showing great caution on this issue. I think we should wait for the results of the elections, at which time the cabinet will certainly discuss this matter. [End of recording]

Ze'ev Boim, who was deputy defence minister until recently, told us that we cannot ignore the unfolding situation:

[Boim - recording] If Hamas gains control over the PNA, we must consider this situation as creating a vanguard Iranian stronghold in Ramallah. All attempts to soften this by various stories - [pauses] We must bear in mind that this body harbours a jihadistic Muslim ideology calling for Israel's destruction. Israel should decide its policy accordingly. At this point, three days before the PNA elections, Israel cannot prevent this from happening. I think it could not have prevented it before this as well. At this point it is pointless to ask ourselves what is the value of such a process of total democratization, when it includes terrorist organizations that are taking advantage of the democratic system. We will have to see the results and consequently examine what to do. I propose, however, that when we decide what to do, we bear in mind precisely what kind of organization Hamas is. [End of recording]

Other political sources said that Israel cannot do very much, adding that if Hamas gains control over the Palestinian governmental bodies, this would exact a heavy toll. If Hamas comes to power, this would put the assistance given to the Palestinians in doubt. Ya'aqov Edri, a new minister, says that Israel has partners in the struggle against Hamas:

[Edri - recording] Our position is very clear: We will not negotiate with Hamas. If Hamas wins, the cabinet will discuss this issue and decide what steps to take. In no way can we tolerate a situation in which Hamas is in control over the PNA. Naturally, we are not alone in this issue. There are also the Americans and the Europeans, and we will jointly hold consultations and implement the proper steps. [End of recording]

Foreign Minister and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni says that if Hamas becomes stronger after the elections, the situation could deteriorate. This is why the elections are aimed at, among other things, disbanding the terrorist organizations - without any distinction between the various military arms, and this includes the Fatah military wing. Livni said the international community is likely to put forward the claim that a Hamas presence in the PNA parliament should be tolerated, while its participation in the government is not legitimate. Livni pointed out that Israel will not accept this claim. Acting Prime Minister Olmert said he has instructed the ministers to maintain a low profile in terms of making statements on the eve of the elections. Pointing out that there are extremely sensitive issues involved here, Olmert said nothing Israel says must be interpreted as an attempt to influence the results. Olmert said that today's discussion was of a preliminary nature, adding that after the PNA elections a discussion will be held in which it will be decided how to react.

[At 1500 gmt, Voice of Israel added: "In anticipation of the PNA elections, Ehud Olmert appointed a team tasked with monitoring the developments in the PNA and formulating recommendations for the political echelon. The team will be headed by Dov Weissglas, and its other members are Chief of Staff Dan Halutz; Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin; and Ron Prosor, director-general of the Foreign Ministry. At the same time, Olmert instructed Giyora Eiland, head of the National Security Council, to separately formulate recommendations for various scenarios following the PNA elections.

"Our political correspondent reports that this was concluded at a consultation held by the acting prime minister with Ministers Livni, Mofaz, Ezra and Hanegbi. Defence establishment officials also attended the consultation."]

Source: BBC Monitoring Middle East

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