(Ynet News) Alex Fishman - Israel had issued VIP cards to about 300 Palestinian elected officials and heads of security arms which enable them to quickly pass through IDF roadblocks in the West Bank. However, Israel recently removed 100 names from the VIP list - all of them members of the Fatah's central committee who took part in the protests in Bil'in. Palestinian officials are also shunning economic ties with Israel, as seen in the discussion on eliminating Palestinian workers at industrial zones in the settlements. On the whole, the Abbas-Fayyad duo is attempting to erase the last remnants of the Oslo Accords as they press the Americans to prevent Israel from engaging in "hot pursuits" within the West Bank. All these moves, which are part of what is known as "Salam Fayyad's White Intifada," are directed at defeating Hamas in the upcoming local elections in the West Bank on July 17. Hamas has already announced that it will not take part in the elections. Indirect negotiations are slated to be launched this week between Israel and the Palestinians. However, before the local elections in the West Bank, nothing will come out of these contacts. The Palestinians enter these talks with the aim of discussing the core issues, so that they can showcase them ahead of the elections. Israel views these talks merely as a stage en route to direct talks which will be launched - according to Mitchell's plan - in four months. Meanwhile, the Americans want to end these talks with at least a declaration on final-status borders. What we have here are three parallel lines that do not meet. The PA cannot show up at the elections with a record of concessions on the national front. It has a clear interest in creating a crisis in order to prompt a warm public embrace and reach the elections with an image of strength.
2010-03-09 08:34:16Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive