[Ynet News] Ron Ben-Yishai - None of the regional players have a recipe for handling the split in the Palestinian camp created by Hamas' Gaza takeover. The Palestinians are in deep depression and many of them have given up the possibility of having their own state. In Israel, Hamastan in Gaza and Fatahland in the West Bank are starting to be seen as a permanent situation; politicians and academicians in Washington and Israel have begun reviving the idea of a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation, a prospect that horrifies the Jordanian king. Bush's speech Monday outlined clear guidelines for handling the situation that has emerged in the Palestinian arena. The policy formulated would be adopted by all players in the theater (with the exception of Iran and Syria), thus enabling them to work together in order to secure clear objectives and goals. It would deprive Hamas of international legitimacy and boost Mahmoud Abbas' status. An important component in the speech was the decisive anti-Hamas line adopted by Bush. No negotiations, no cooperation, and no aid until Hamas agrees to recognize Israel and renounce the armed struggle against it. Abbas received a pledge for about $400 million should he undertake the required reforms and refrain from terror.
2007-07-18 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive