Mecca deal paralyzing PA government, Peretz says

Defense minister says Hamas-Fatah deal constitutes ‘compromise with radical elements,’ but adds that Israel would cooperate with any Palestinian government that accepts demands set by Quartet; ‘still time to resolve Iranian issue through diplomatic means,’ he says

Ahiya Raved
Published: 03.06.07, 22:41 / Israel News

“The Mecca agreement between Hamas and Fatah constitutes a compromise with the radical elements and paralyzes the Palestinian government,” Defense Minister Amir Peretz said at a Friends of the IDF Convention in Akko Tuesday.

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However, he said, Israel would cooperate with any Palestinian government that accepts the demands set by the Quartet and Israel, including the denouncement of terror, the recognition of Israel’s right to exist and the recognition of past agreements signed between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

“Israel is not at war with the Palestinian nation,” Peretz said, “It is at war with terror, and there are no compromises here."

The defense minister said the Saudi peace initiative “includes some positive aspects” that may serve as the basis for an agreement with the Palestinians.

Referring to the Iranian nuclear program, Peretz said it could still be halted through diplomatic means.

“The Iranian nuclear program threatens the entire free world, and I hope the whole world will take part in the effort to block it,” he said. “This isn’t Israel’s problem alone.”

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