Hamas

Reactions to the Hamas-Fatah Unity Deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

The Palestinian Authority needs to choose between peace with the people of Israel and peace with Hamas. You cannot have peace with both, because the Hamas aspires to destroy the State of Israel, and I'll say it openly.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas:

A Larger Context for the Prisoner Exchange

The current debate among Israelis about a prisoner exchange with Hamas has been consumed by a narrow discussion of short-term gains and losses for both sides, evading the bigger picture of a future reconciliation between the two parties. It is time for both Israel and Hamas to recognize that there is no escape from one another. The deal that would presumably trade Gilad Shalit, Israel's soldier who was captured in 2006 by Hamas, for approximately 1,000 Palestinian prisoners should be utilized as a precursor for future negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Prisoner exchange not an alternative to negotiations

AMMAN - If the Islamic movement Hamas succeeds in obtaining the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many with long-term sentences, it will, no doubt, complicate the delicate attempts to reach a negotiated agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. Such an accomplishment will prove that those who use violence can produce better results than those—like President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad—who rely on non-violent negotiated means to achieve the liberation of land and prisoners.

A Hezbollah and Hamas Meeting

Earlier today, Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah met with a Hamas delegation led by political bureau member Mohammad Naser. According to Roee Nahmias of Yediot Ahronoth:

Crisis in the Palestinian Authority

INSS Insight No. 143, November 24, 2009

The failure of the American effort to restart the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians over the final settlement has created a political crisis in the Palestinian Authority. On November 5, PA president Mahmoud Abbas announced that he does not intend to run in the general presidential and Legislative Council elections scheduled for January 2010. Abbas’ announcement may reflect a real political crisis liable to lead to the collapse of the PA, or a tactic designed to put pressure on the United States and Israel.

The Taking of the Francop

At midnight on November 4^th, some 100 miles off the coast of Israel, a team of Israeli commandoes and military engineers boarded the Antiguan flagged Francop freighter. Missile boats surrounded the ship, airplanes hovered above and the Israeli army was on alert. Upon boarding the ship, the Polish captain was cooperative, enabling the Israelis to peacefully inspect the ship. Searching the vessel the commandos and engineers found a cache of 320 tons of weapons, including mortars, Katyushas, rockets and bullets.

Hamas Rocket Test; Hezbollah Arms Shipment Seized

In a series of military related events in Gaza and the Mediterranean Sea, it is apparent that Hamas and Hezbollah are stockpiling and testing weapons systems. On Tuesday, Israel’s head of military intelligence, Gen. Amos Yadlin, revealed that Hamas, under the cover of stormy weather, recently tested a rocket capable of firing 37 miles. This test means that Hamas now has the means to be able to strike Tel-Aviv and its surroundings.

An Israeli View: Only lack of unity will produce two states

The Egyptian-mediated internal Palestinian dialogue between Hamas and Fateh involves a variety of issues, including security and elections, all of which affect the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.