Olmert to warn Abbas: Keep Hamas out
Palestinian president to visit prime minister in Jerusalem on Monday, Olmert tries to downplay significance of Israeli gestures towards Palestinian leader many view as irrelevant. 'Gestures are calculated risk, not risky calculation,' says senior aide to Olmert
"Rejoining Hamas will blow up the peace process," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to warn Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon at Olmert's office in Jerusalem.
Meanwhile Olmert's staffers are attempting to downplay the significance of Israel's goodwill gestures towards the PA ahead of the meeting between the two leaders.
"The gestures are a calculated risk, not a risky calculation," said a senior official in Olmert's office in response to growing criticism over the prime minister's decisions.
Numerous ministers within Olmert's own cabinet have become increasingly vocal regarding their disapproval of the gestures. "Any attempt to strengthen Abbas is doomed to fail," said Deputy Prime Minister and Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
"We need to look beyond Abbas toward the future leadership, the next generation in the territories," he said. In private talks Lieberman used far harsher language regarding Abbas' relevance as a partner for dialog: "Name one thing Abbas has done to deserve such grand gestures. Has he arrested wanted men? Rounded up firearms? Fought against terrorism? You can't strengthen a zero, it will always equal zero."
'Measured steps with vast potential'
But Olmert is determined to make these gestures to Abbas. "Israel has a clear interest in strengthening the Palestinian Authority led by Abbas. It needs to gain the support of the Palestinian public - by bringing in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, that way it can begin to take flight…
"The steps we are taking are measures, they have an enormous potential to strengthen Abbas without putting Israel's security at risk. They will encourage more pragmatism which will prove that the road to peace can lead the Palestinians to accomplishments," said aides in Olmert's office.
Olmert's office stressed that not a single prisoner "with blood on his hands" would be released. As for the current experimental deal which saw 178 wanted Palestinians removed from Israel's lists – the Prime Minister's Office said that both the freed prisoners and formerly wanted men had sworn to renounce terrorism. By not pursuing them anymore, said Olmert's office, Israel now has more time and resources to deal with threats from Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
"Abbas is under enormous pressure from Arab nations and the international community, he has recently taken a series of positive actions: he is using determined rhetoric against terror, he has issued a presidential decree that bans carrying firearms and determined that armed militias must not be allowed to control the streets," said Olmert's aide.
"Olmert will demand of Abbas to genuinely combat terror. The prime minister will demand intensive PA action to bring Judea and Samaria under Abbas' complete control. Meanwhile we are willing to make these gestures to prove that Israel means what it says."
During the upcoming meeting Abbas is expected to request Olmert allow a Palestinian brigade from the Jordanian army to cross into the West Bank. Abbas is also expected to ask for military equipment from Egypt.
The Palestinian president may also demand full security coordination with Israel, to prevent unilateral action in the West Bank. Olmert will not provide a conclusive reply to these demands at present time, but Abbas' requests will be examined seriously.
