This week, leaders of Hamas reiterated their
intention to destroy the State of Israel and
terrorists in Gaza fired rockets into Israel. Whoever hoped
that the Palestinian unity between Fatah and Hamas would moderate and reform
Hamas is mistaken. Instead of the Palestinian Authority taking over Gaza, the
signs are being more and more seen that the complete opposite is taking place,
i.e. Hamas is increasing its control in the Palestinian Authority areas in
Judea and Samaria.
The rockets fired Wednesday by terrorists in Gaza at Israel
are a striking example of why the Hamas-Fatah unity government is bad news for
peace. President Abbas and the new government allowed in the unity agreement
for Hamas to maintain its military powers and capabilities. It’s the
international community’s responsibility to ensure Abbas is held accountable
for the terror activity emanating from Gaza. Abbas cannot be allowed to hide
behind statements that cite an inability to impact such attacks at this time.
It’s his government and he must take ownership.
For Israel, it’s not business as usual. Israel will have
to find ways to manage the new reality of a government backed by a terror
organization committed to Israel’s destruction. In order for peace to be
possible, international pressure must be placed on President Abbas to implement
the previous agreements and dismantle Hamas, or dissolve his pact with Hamas. Only
then can we return to the negotiating table towards a final agreement.
President Abbas has campaigned to portray the unity
government's supposed acceptance of the international Quartet's three
conditions for legitimacy (recognizing Israel's right to exist, renouncing
terrorism and violence, and accepting previous agreements). However, his
declarations do not match reality: Hamas has made no effort to abandon terrorism and it remains dedicated to
the destruction of Israel.
Abbas promised to uphold all of his previous commitments:
- Deploy the PA Police in the Gaza Strip, including on
the border crossing to Egypt at Rafiah.
- Demilitarize the areas under the control of the
Palestinian government, including the Gaza Strip. Terrorists in Gaza have
thousands of rockets aimed at Israel. It’s Abbas’ responsibility to remove
them.
- Dismantle this arsenal, put an end to the smuggling and
production of weapons in the Gaza Strip and cease the firing of rockets at
Israel.
Israel and Israelis want peace. We have proven we are
ready to make sacrifices in order to reach an historic agreement that
establishes two states for two peoples and puts an end to conflict. The unity
government with Hamas is not just a major setback, it is proof that the
Palestinian leadership is not ready to pursue a true peace.