Hamas rally in the Gaza Strip
Photo: Reuters
Israel prepares for possible Hamas victory
Israel will set up an inter-ministerial committee to deal with scenario of Hamas winning parliamentary elections
Israel is setting up an inter-ministerial committee to deal with the scenario of Hamas winning the January parliamentary elections in the Palestinian Authority, Israel Radio reported Saturday.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s special advisor Dov Weisglass will head the committee, which will include officials from the Ministry of Defense, the Foreign Ministry, the IDF and the Shin Bet.
Wesiglass will start consultations to form the committee Sunday morning.
The latest polls have predicted large support for the Islamic group among Palestinians in the upcoming elections, rekindling concerns in Israel that the more moderate Fatah will be sidelined by the extremist terror group, sworn to the destruction of the Jewish State.
In an interview with Israel Radio last week, Shimon Peres said a Hamas victory in the elections would jeopardize the road map plan for peace and could end the international aid to the Palestinian Authority.
“No country would grant aid to the PA if it falls under the control of an armed terror group,” Peres said in the interview.
Although Israel opposes Hamas’ participation in the election as long as it has not been disarmed, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has taken the strategic decision of not intervening in internal Palestinian affairs.
