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Photo: Reuters
Mahmoud al-Zahar – future negotiations partner?
Photo: Reuters

Hamas: Talks with Israel not a taboo

Mahmoud al-Zahar says future negotiations with Israel through third party possible. Latest elections poll gives Fatah larger edge over Hamas

Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Zahar raised the possibility on Monday of future negotiations with Israel through a third party.

 

"Negotiations are a means. If Israel has anything to offer on the issues of halting attacks, withdrawal, releasing prisoners ... then 1,000 means can be found," Senior al-Zahar told reporters.

 

As an example, he cited contacts Lebanese group Hizbullah held with Israel, via German mediators, for the release of Lebanese held in Israeli jails.

 

"Negotiation is not a taboo," al-Zahar said. "But the political crime is when we sit with the Israelis and then come out with a wide smile to tell the Palestinian people that there is progress, when in fact, there is not.

 

Poll: Fatah widens gap

 

Meanwhile, the latest Palestinian elections poll, released Monday morning, showed the Fatah charging ahead with about 40 percent of the votes, compared to 29 by Hamas. Earlier polls showed the two frontrunners in a virtual tie.

 

Israel officials have been debating recently how to react in the face of an expected Hamas gains in the elections. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert already appointed a special team to closely monitor security and diplomatic developments on that front.

 

At the same time, security authorities are preparing in an effort to allow the Palestinian elections to proceed smoothly so that Israel is not perceived as an obstacle to the vote. On Monday, the IDF stopped operating in Palestinian areas, with the exception of cases involving "ticking bombs."

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.23.06, 17:42
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