(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders say they still have many rockets to use against Israel in the future. As one Hamas official put it, "In the next war with Israel, Israelis will be forced to flee not only their homes, but the whole country." Fatah is also preparing for a possible confrontation with Israel, both on the ground and in the international arena. Building new housing units in the Jerusalem suburbs is being viewed by the Fatah leadership as a "war crime" and "act of aggression" on the UN-recognized State of Palestine. The celebrations in Gaza and the West Bank over the past two weeks are the result of the Palestinians' belief that they have defeated Israel twice - during Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza and at the UN. They were celebrating the fact that for the first time millions of Israelis were living within the range of their rockets and missiles. There was no mention of the peace process or coexistence with Israel. The belligerent and defiant tone of Fatah officials sent the message that the Palestinians are now headed toward confrontation with Israel - not peace.
2012-12-07 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive