Help Abbas (Ha'aretz editorial)

[Violet_Crumble]

In his meetings in New York, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon toned down his threats that Israel would put a stop to elections in the West Bank if Hamas candidates take part, after declaring earlier that under such circumstances Israel would interfere. While in post-disengagement Gaza there is no intention whatsoever to do so, Israel can easily disrupt elections in the West Bank to such an extent that it would stop them from taking place. Israel's position is that participation in elections to the Palestine Legislative Council, which is the Palestinian Authority's parliament, requires Hamas to disarm and abrogate its basic manifesto that calls for the political annihilation of Israel. If Hamas does not do so, Sharon says, Israel will not prevent the elections, but will give them no support.

Israel's position is logical, correct and justified. Since its establishment some 17 years ago, the Hamas movement has declared all-out war on the "Zionist entity," out of a belief that all of Israel is Muslim sacred ground and not one inch should be given up. To this end the movement initiated and justified acts of terror and murderous suicide attacks. Even though it has agreed over the past few months to a cease-fire, it has not given up its declared goals. Its spokesmen have repeatedly declared that their intent is to pursue violent struggle. Israel cannot remain indifferent to such vows.

Still, it is hard to ignore that the movement is gaining in popularity in the Palestinian public. Perhaps Israel should step up its efforts to persuade the more pragmatic and moderate elements in Hamas, as it did at one time with the Palestine Liberation Organization, to accept Israel's existence and not to try to solve conflicts through terror.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/627244.html