Sharon and Abbas (Archive photo)
Photo: Reuters
PA fears post-Sharon era
Palestinian source tells Ynet Kadima party may adopt rightist policies to draw voters
The Palestinian Authority is closely following Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s condition as he remains sedated in an intensive care unit at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem.
Abbas told reporters in Ramallah, “Sharon’s stroke is serious and dangerous. We are following this incident with great concern, especially if something were to happen to prime minister Sharon. I am following closely the health condition of Mr. Sharon.”
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas contacted Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Thursday evening to receive an update on Sharon’s condition and vowed that the PA will continue to cooperate with Israel on achieving peace.
PM Sharon
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Abbas' comments reflect a real fear among the Palestinian leadership in light of the deteriorating condition of Sharon, who is seen as capable of advancing peace swiftly and decisively. The Palestinian Authority fears that Sharon’s successor, whoever he may be, will find it more difficult to continue the road started by Sharon with the implementation of the disengagement from Gaza.
Sharon has been labeled by the Palestinians on more than one occasion as “the criminal who massacred the Palestinian people,' but despite the revulsion over his past, the Palestinian realize Sharon can advance the peace process more rapidly than anyone else perhaps.
Former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia went a step further in reflecting the PA’s favoring of Sharon as leader of the Jewish State when he told reporters “I am praying for the well being of Sharon.”
Qureia’s comments drew a number of disparaging reactions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank with gunmen firing rounds in the air in jubilation at Sharon’s bad health.
Palestinian Minister for Civilian Affairs Mohammad Dahlan said “Sharon’s death would completely transform the political situation in the region and will alter the PA’s policy.”
Hamas: Don't exploit Sharon's illness
Although holding a grudge against Israel for its failure to fully implement past agreements, namely the U.S.-brokered deal on border crossings, the Palestinians fear Sharon’s successor, especially if Likud wins the general elections, would bury all agreements reached over the last six months.
A Palestinian source told Ynet that the fear is not just from Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, known for his right-wing views, but from a strategy by Kadima to promote hawkish policies to lure Israeli voters.
The source said Palestinian estimates are that Kadima hawks like former Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter, former Likud member Tzachi Hanegbi and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, will be more successful in swaying Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to adopt right-wing policies than they ever were with Sharon.
“Israelis have to understand that what Sharon did was not for the Palestinians but also for them, and despite their view that the disengagement was a major concession to the Palestinians, we believe the move was made to favor Israel by giving it a stronger hold on territories we believe belong to us,” the source said.
“The bottom line is that unlike with (former prime minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and (former prime minister Ehud) Barak, with Sharon there was always a movement and something to talk and argue about despite his belief in unilateral steps,” the source added.
Meanwhile, Hamas warned the Palestinian Authority not to exploit Sharon’s illness to postpone the January 25 general elections. Hamas officials said the PA ought to view the development with optimism.
“We warn of the scenario where Sharon’s successor would seek to prove himself by boosting belligerence against our people,” a Hamas statement read.
