Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz
צילום: גיל יוחנן
Mofaz: PA officials profit from crossings
Defense Minister tells U.S. envoys David Welch, Elliot Abrams that Palestinian Authority officials profit from goods transferred through Erez, Karni crossings and therefore object Israel's offer to open Kerem Hashalom as an alternative
Senior Palestinian officials profit from operations at the Karni and Erez crossings and therefore they are objected to Israel’s offer to open the Kerem Hashalom crossing instead, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told senior U.S. envoys David Welch and Elliot Abrams on Thursday.
The three met to discuss the repercussions of the inauguration of the Hamas government in the Palestinian Authority. Mofaz told the officials that the new government is responsible for what happens in the territories and all the repercussions.
“Hamas is not accepting the conditions set by the Quartet. From their government’s fundamentals they do not intend on fighting terror. They are not ready to order the Palestinian security forces they control to fight terror,” said the defense minister.
Mofaz also discussed humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. The three men agreed that Israel and the United States will hold separate talks about funding projects in the region.
Mofaz told Welch and Abrams that Israel wants to leave the border crossings open. “We want to keep the crossings open, but not at the price of soldiers and citizens’ lives. The crossings will be opened only of the security situation allows so,” Mofaz said. He added that Israel has no intension to harm Palestinian civilians, and is aware of the humanitarian needs, but it will not endanger the lives of its citizens.
“Palestinian opposition to opening the Kerem Hashalom crossing near Rafah, emanates from personal interests of senior Palestinian officials. They are bound to lose money from the opening of this crossing because they make money from goods transported through other crossings. Therefore they oppose Kerem Hashalom which will greatly help Palestinian civilians,” Mofaz said.
Mofaz also told Welch and Abrams that the Palestinians are allowing terror elements free movement through the Rafah crossing. “I ask for U.S. intervention to deal with issue immediately,” Mofaz said.
