Ex-Mossad chief writes open letter to Haniyeh
Former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy, playing role of Palestinian intelligence chief, urges Palestinian prime minister designate to impose his authority on terror groups, find ways to come to terms with Israel’s existence, steer clear of al-Qaeda
Former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy, playing the role of the Palestinian Intelligence chief, said in an open letter to Hamas’ designated prime minister Ismail Haniyeh that he must decide on the fate of Palestinian terror groups Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
“I assume that you will not wish to initiate a fitna, a bloody showdown with our Palestinian brethren. But you will still have to find a method of disciplining these groups,” Halevy said in the letter published in Israel’s leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on Thursday.
“You will not wish to allow any further descent into anarchy, the very lawlessness that the Palestinian people sought to reject by voting you into office."
“They (Palestinians) don't just expect you to herald an era free of graft and malfeasance, but also to improve quality of life, maintain internal cohesion, and provide a modicum of domestic tranquility."
In his letter Halevy said that Haniyeh must seek the support of Egypt and Jordan in order to succeed, as the Muslim Brotherhood in both countries has drawn encouragement from Hamas’ victory.
“If the leaders in Cairo and Amman feel that your policies undermine their interests, they will not hesitate to act against you or to leave you twisting in the wind,” he said.
“Let me add another caveat about the surprisingly warm reception the new government has received abroad. That is, the Russians and Turks have hardly embraced you for the purest of motives. If I read their statements correctly, they believe that they can domesticate and defang Hamas with their kindness.
“They may also be driven by a more ephemeral goal: to help promote their own relationship with Tehran.”
Regarding Hamas’ future relations with the U.S., Halevy (as the Palestinian intelligence chief) asked Haniyeh to keep in mind that the Americans have reached the conclusion that the fate of the entire western world depends on far-reaching changes in the Middle East, including regime changes.
“They (Americans) believe the fate of their civilization depends on defeating so-called 'international Islamic terrorism.'"
‘Israel did us a big favor’
“The United States is well-aware that you are the first national faction of the Muslim Brotherhood in the entire region to reach power. You are a precedent, a first example, and, if you play it wrong--if you act in a way that seriously jeopardizes the allies of Washington--the United States will permit you to go down to a resounding armed and political defeat.”
Halevy proceeded to address Hamas’ stance regarding Israel, saying “the best-trained, best-equipped, and most experienced military machine in the Middle East. They have a thriving economy, a prosperous business and industrial community, and a vibrant culture. The million-odd Arab citizens of Israel enjoy the highest standard of living of any Arab community in the region. They support us in some ways, but they balk at the mere mention of their joining the Palestinian Authority."
"You must accept that a decision to continue resistance will force you to abandon your domestic agenda," Halevy writes.
"Right now, the Israelis don't know how to react to your government. It is, of course, the Israeli campaign season. Every politician has the daily opportunity to make foolish statements. And they have done us a huge favor by demanding that Hamas recognize Israel.
"Imagine: Israel, with all its economic and military might, in the waiting room, anxiously awaiting word that you have bestowed recognition upon them! Well, you took good rhetorical advantage of this situation by roundly retorting that you would not recognize them. But, as I have argued, a change in the Israeli mindset is coming."
Halevy concludes by advising Haniyeh to steer clear from the destructive influence of al-Qaeda, ending his letter with a stark warning: "The life and, God forbid, death, of the Palestinian people is now passing into your hands."
