(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

 

 

In recent weeks, I and several world leaders have made serious efforts to advance peace.

If President Abbas moves to implement what was signed today in Doha,  he will abandon the path of peace and join forces with the enemies of peace.

 

Hamas is an enemy of peace. It's an Iranian-backed terror organization committed to Israel's destruction. It has not accepted the minimal conditions set by the international community:

 

• It refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist.

• It refuses to honor the signed agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

• It refuses to abandon terrorism. Indeed, it continues to arm itself for even deadlier terrorism. 

 

President Abbas, you can't have it both ways. It's either a pact with Hamas or peace with Israel. It's one or the other. You can't have them both.

 

* * *

 

 

"I would like to say a few words about what was signed in Doha. Hamas is a terrorist organization that strives to destroy Israel, and which is supported by Iran. I have said many times in the past that the Palestinian Authority must choose between an alliance with Hamas and peace with Israel. Hamas and peace do not go together.

 

Over the past few weeks, Israel and elements in the international community have made great efforts to advance the peace process. If Abu Mazen implements what has been signed in Doha, he will have chosen to abandon the way of peace and to join with Hamas, without Hamas having accepted the minimal conditions of the international community: Not only does Hamas not recognize Israel and the [previously signed] agreements, it has not  abandoned terrorism. It is continuing with terrorism and to arm itself in order to perpetrate even deadlier terrorism.

 

I say to Abu Mazen: You cannot hold the stick by both ends. It is either peace with Hamas or peace with Israel; you cannot have it both ways."