Abbas Paved the Way for Hamas Rule, Israeli Minister Says

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman slammed the Fatah-Hamas unity deal, saying that Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas, chair of the Palestinian Authority, has no desire for peace and has paved the way for Hamas rule over the entire PA area.

Speaking Tuesday at a reception for the diplomatic corps at the President’s Residence on the occasion of Israel’s Independence Day, Foreign Minister Avidgor Liberman, commenting on a meeting between PA Chair Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas Chief Khaled Mashaal in Qatar a day earlier, declared:

“The recent developments in Judea and Samaria demonstrate with certainty that Hamas is on its way to controlling the whole Palestinian Authority.”

Noting optimism among some in the West regarding the recent Fatah-Hamas unity deal, Liberman quipped:

“We are celebrating Independence Day and not Purim.”

(On Purim, a festive annual holiday celebrating the saving of the Jews of ancient Persia from annihilation, it is customary to dress in costume.)

“It is time to remove the mask from the face of Mahmoud Abbas and say clearly that he consistently rejects peace.”

A date for new elections in the Palestinian territories has not been announced, but when they do take place, “it is clear that Hamas will win convincingly,” Liberman continued. “Abbas brought Hamas to power in Gaza and he is now bringing them to power in Judea and Samaria.”

Hamas Rule Will Not Prevail in Judea and Samaria, Liberman Declares

“It is clear that Abbas has no desire to bring peace to the people he supposedly represents,” he said. “We expect the international community to stand by its commitments and demand that Hamas abide by the three conditions laid out by the Quartet,” namely, renouncing violence, recognizing Israel and accepting prior agreements.

“Two additional issues that cannot be compromised on are Palestinian recognition of Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people and the abandonment of the so-called Palestinian ‘right of return,'” he said.

Those supporting the “Right of Return” advocate bringing millions of Arabs claiming “Palestinian” descent and hostile to the Jewish State into the Land of Israel.

“We are determined to prevent Judea and Samaria from becoming the new Gaza,” Liberman asserted.

Since 2001, Hamas terrorists have fired close to 13,000 rockets into Israel, according to the IDF.

“It is clear that the real problem is not settlements in Judea and Samaria, but the reluctance of the Palestinians time after time to pursue peace,” Liberman stated.

Written by Atara Beck,
Staff Writer/Editor, United with Israel