Israel fears Arab League will support Hamas
Foreign Minister Livni concerned possible recognition of Hamas-led government by Arab countries will undermine international front against terror group
In a cabinet meeting held Sunday, Foreign Minster Tzipi Livni said such a scenario was possible. According to Livni, the Arab leaders will try to challenge the preconditions set by the international community and Israel with regards to a Hamas government, whose composition is set to be presented Sunday evening.
Livni reported that in the framework of these efforts she has succeeded in torpedoing a Palestinian attempt to condemn Israel over the Jericho raid. On Wednesday, the foreign minister is set to travel to Italy, where she will meet Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini.
During the meeting Livni also told the ministers that French President Jacque Chirac is expected to issue a statement against the Iranian nuclear project. The foreign minister said she had been in touch with the French Foreign Ministry and that the two countries coordinated their position on the issue.
Meanwhile, Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin said during the meeting that "there is currently no agreement among the Palestinians on the composition of a Hamas government."
According to Diskin, Hamas seeks a coalition with other parties, including Fatah and Marwan Barghouti's party, which refused to join, and the Popular Front, which has not come to a decision yet.
"Hamas is continuing with its blurry messages in response to (PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas') demands, but it seems unlikely that Abbas will confront Hamas," he said.
According to Diskin, the organization is preserving its principles and would allow into the government only affiliated groups, which advocate the foundation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, insist on the Right of return and safeguarding the independence of the future Palestinian state.
The Shin Bet chief also said that there is a disagreement between members of Hamas in Gaza and those in the West Bank over manning senior positions in the government. Hamas officials in Gaza demand to get the high ranking posts, claiming army restrictions would prevent West Bank ministers from functioning properly.
Commenting on Hamas' attempts to raise funds, Diskin said the group was still optimistic about its ability to raise money in wake of Israel's decision not to transfer anymore funds to the PA.
He added that the defense establishment was concerned about a Hamas-led government because of the direct control it has over field activities. Diskin warned there were multiple warnings of terror threats, mostly by Islamic Jihad, and emphasized the importance of shutting down the Karni crossing. The Shin bet has concrete alerts of a terror attack in this crossing, he stated.
Turning his attention to the Jericho raid, the Shin Bet head said the results of the operation were still evident on the ground, and that terror groups were planning retaliatory attacks. Diskin said that Hamas failed to exhibit control during the Jericho raid, but that it also kept from arousing emotions or encouraging the riots.
Abduction attacks alerts
According to Diskin, the Jericho operation may have implications on the subject of incarcerating Palestinian prisoners in the PA in the future. He warned that a temporary consensus has formed between the Palestinian factions as a result of the raid.
The Shin Bet head concluded by saying that the prison raid resulted in the capture of 33 wanted terror suspects.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz warned in his briefing to the cabinet that as a result of the raid on the prison in Jericho there may be an increase in attempts to carry out terror attacks in Israel, and in particular attempts to abduct security personnel and senior Israeli officials.
Mofaz noted he has instructed defense officials to raise alertness and refresh security regulations.
The defense minister added that Abbas cannot claim innocence on the matter of the raid, as the British have relayed to him and other PA officials more than 40 complaints about violations at the prison in the last four years. According to Mofaz, the Palestinians disregarded these violations.
Mofaz also commented on the issue of the border crossings between Gaza and Israel, saying that the Kerem Shalom crossing was opened Sunday, while the Karni crossing is set to remain closed due to security alerts. He added that defense officials will meet with the Palestinians later Sunday, on the initiative of the Americans. The meeting will aim at promoting the matter of the Kerem Shalom crossing, after the Palestinians have expressed objections to its reopening.
Mofaz concluded by informing the ministers that the defense establishment currently holds 10 specific terror alerts, as well as another 50 general warnings, and that the closure imposed on the territories will therefore not be lifted.
