Livni to ask Europe to be tough on Hamas
Livni to present European counterparts in Austria, France and Britain with Israeli plans to monitor money transfers to Palestinian government
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni will try to garner European support for a series of measures against Hamas on a two-day visit to the continent.
Livni will present her European counterparts in Austria, France and Britain with Israeli plans to monitor money transfers to the Palestinian government, which is expected to be headed by Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ choice for prime minister.
Livni will also discuss Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the threat it poses to Europe.
On her first stop in Vienna, Livni will meet Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, and Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik. Livni will arrive in Paris Wednesday afternoon where she will meet her counterpart Philippe Douste-Blazy. She will also visit the family of Ilan Halimi, the French Jew killed in an anti-Semitic attack that shocked France.
Livni will also meet representatives of CRIF, the umbrella group representing French Jewish organizations.
On Thursday Livni will arrive in Britain where she will meet Foreign Minister Jack Straw.
'Putin a friend'
Israel is alarmed by Russia’s invitation to Hamas to visit Moscow on Thursday for talks with senior officials. With Turkey serving the Islamic group a similar invitation, Israel is concerned that European capitals will adopt a softer approach towards the group which is listed on the European Union’s list of terror organizations.
Livni will also present her counterparts with an Israeli plan to monitor aid funds transferred to a Hamas-led Palestinian government to ensure that funds do not reach terror elements.
Livni will also raise Israel’s concerns over Iranian plans to build long-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads and reaching Europe.
Meanwhile, Israel continues to broadcast business as usual with Moscow ahead of Thursday’s visit to Russia of Hamas leaders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is a friend of Israel and will not act against its interests, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert assessed Tuesday during a discussion in his office regarding relations between the two countries.
Olmert said that in recent days he received important messages from Putin that Russia will keep in line with the Quartet’s policy towards the group which calls on it to disarm, and added that he plans to strengthen dialogue with Moscow.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he will meet Hamas leader on Thursday.
