PM: We'll allow Hamas participation
Sharon says Israel will not intervene even if terror organization takes part in upcoming Palestinian parliamentary elections; remarks in complete contrast to government’s prior position on the matter; IDF Intelligence Research Branch chief: Hamas trying to transfer technological capabilities from Gaza to West Bank; PM says Israel has no intention of negotiating or signing a peace treaty with Syria, despite Syria's interest in such talks
Israel will not intervene in the PA parliamentary elections even if Hamas participates, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said during a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee.
In reply to a question by MK Ran Cohen (Meretz-Yachad), who inquired what was Israel's stance on the issue of Hamas participation in the Palestinian elections, the PM said that "if Hamas participates, we will have to consider whether to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority."
Sharon added that by 'cooperation' he referred to allowing traffic in the Palestinian territories and opening of the border crossings.
When asked by Cohen if Israel will interfere with the elections, Sharon said that "it would be wrong to disrupt the elections."
However, Sharon added that Israel would “not offer assistance” during the election campaign, perhaps alluding to the possibility that Israel would not permit Hamas to campaign freely in the streets.
Following the session Sharon’s media advisor Asi Shriv clarified the PM’s statement, saying Israel would not interfere in an inner-Palestinian process but would not offer its cooperation on the matter.
Shriv said Hamas would be banned from attending the meetings of joint Israeli-Palestinian committees; any Hamas member campaigning for the elections would be risking his life, he threatened.
The prime minister’s remarks are in complete contrast to the government’s prior position on the matter. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice already received word of the change in Israel’s stance from Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, who had recently told her; however, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom has since stated Hamas would not be permitted to participate in the election race.
Head of the Military Intelligence Research Department Brig. Gen. Yossi Kuperwasser said in his briefing to the committee that "Hamas is making huge efforts to transfer its technological capabilities and means from Gaza to the West Bank."
Agriculture Minister Yisrael Katz (Likud) said in response to Sharon's statement that the state of Israel must make it clear it will not negotiate with the Palestinian Authority if Hamas becomes part of the Palestinian leadership.
"Israel cannot negotiate with those who aim to destroy it and that do not recognize its right to exist. We must demand of the PA once again to dismantle the terror organizations before any negotiation on a settlement can ensue," Katz said.
Negotiations with syria not on the agenda
During the committee's meeting, Sharon was also asked to refer to the current diplomatic crisis in Syria, which faces a U.N. probe, as well as demands to allow the interrogation of six top Syrian officials.
Sharon refused to say whether he believed Israel is better off with a strong, or a weak President Assad, but stated that Israel has no intention of negotiating or signing a peace treaty with Syria, despite Syria's interest in such talks.
"Discussions on the possibility of withdrawal from the Golan Heights in the past constituted a grave mistake," he said.
During the meeting Committee Chairman Yuval Steinitz asked to hear Sharon’s response to Mofaz’s statement whereby an Israeli military strike against Iran “is not on the agenda.”
“Yuval, I am surprised at you; you don’t honestly believe that every statement made by an MK or minister represents the government’s policy,” the prime minister responded.
