[Ha'aretz] Danny Rubinstein - Mahmoud Abbas and his associates have no more illusions. Neither about the possibility of a unity government, nor of ideological change in Hamas. Without such a change, a Fatah-Hamas government cannot arise whose guidelines would meet the three international demands for lifting the siege on the PA: recognition of Israel, cessation of violence, and acceptance of past agreements. Hamas believes it possible to fight the siege without giving up the ideology of non-recognition of Israel, by bringing suitcases full of money from Iran. Abbas did not say when he intends to hold early elections. Everyone knows why: Fatah is not ready for a campaign against Hamas, and needs time to prepare.
2006-12-18 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive