Hamas Runs for Election Vowing Never to Talk to Israel or Disarm
Hamas campaigners, confident of a strong showing in the Jan 25 elections for the Palestinian legislative council, announced in Gaza City Sunday, Jan. 8, that, if elected, they will put an end to any Palestinian talks with Israel. Negotiations with the Zionist entity will only take place through the barrel of a gun, said the man topping the Hamas list, Ismail Haniya.
Hamas Gaza leader Mahmoud al-Zahar dismissed European threats to cut off funds if the terrorist group enters Palestinian government. If they do, he said, “We have our sources in the Arab and Muslim world.†None of the West Bank local councils captured by Hamas is short of funds, he boasted.
According to the last opinion polls, the gap between Mahmoud Abbas’ ruling Fatah and the Hamas challenger has further shrunk to 6-8%.This means that the Islamic terrorists who have vowed to destroy Israel have a good chance of winning the election in 17 days’ time. Even from second place, they can form a coalition government, set up an alternative administration to Fatah, or create an opposition bloc in parliament able to immobilize any government in which they are not partners.
Sunday, Jan 8, at the first regular cabinet meeting in Jerusalem led by acting prime minister Ehud Olmert, Israeli defense minister Shaul Mofaz said he was confident the Palestinian poll would be delayed for fear of a Hamas victory. Mahmoud Abbas and fellow Fatah leader, the jailed Marwan Barghouti, have also admitted they would prefer a postponement.
However, according to DEBKAfile’s political sources, this option is not theirs for the asking. It is solidly blocked by US president George W. Bush, who refuses to hear of any poll rescheduling in the Palestinian areas, just as he did in Iraq. To hold the Palestinians to the date – even at the price of a terrorist win – he sent US military coordinator Maj-Gen Keith Dayton post haste to the region Friday, Jan. 6. Monday, the general will receive reinforcements from Washington in the form of deputy national security adviser Elliot Abrams and undersecretary of state David Welch. In the first week of Ariel Sharon’s absence from the prime minister’s office, the Israeli government was seen pinning its hopes on an illusion.
Read the rest of this fascinating article at DEBKAfile »
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