Military Intelligence warns of Hamastan
Major General Zeevi Farkash foresees Hamastan (Gaza) and Fatahstan (West Bank) splitting off from one another; says diplomacy unlikey to yield results against Iran
Military Intelligence Chief Aharon Zeevi Farkash has warned of a possible political split between the West Bank and Gaza, as Fatah and Hamas ascend to power in each region.
"Soon we may find ourselves looking at Hamastan in Gaza and Fatahstan in Judea and Samaria," said the outgoing head of Military Intelligence, Major General Zeevi Farkash, at a government meeting Sunday .
"I think there is a good chance that in 2006, Judea and Samaria and Gaza will be split into separate geographic divisions," said Farkash. "We can play with terminology when speaking of (PA Chairman) Mahmoud Abbas, and say that he wants, but is not able (to deal with Hamas), but the bottom line is that there are no results from him," he added.
Farkash continued: "In Arab countries, weapons are being produced at a quantity and quality that threaten the heart of the State of Israel. Iran, Syria, Hizbullah, and Hamas are accumulating missiles from Qassams to Shihab 3 missiles."
'Iran determined to go nuclear'
He added that "Iran is determined to reach nuclear capabilities and obtain ground to ground missiles. It is turning into a regional power. I don't see a real possibility for diplomacy preventing Iran from becoming armed with nuclear weapons. In the coming months, we will witness the end of the abilities of our diplomatic maneuvers, and that of the world, against Iran. With that, I'm not saying we have to give up. We must carry on with economic and political sanctions."
The Military Intelligence Head warned of the rise of Islamism in the region, through the exploitation of democracy.
Examples included Hamas in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, the Shiites in Lebanon, and the Sunnis in Syria. According to Farkash, al-Qaeda is starting to operate in the Middle East, which marked the start of dangerous trend.
