Abbas: No Security Guarantees Regarding Hamas

While Justice Minister Tzipi Livni seeks to earn her Nobel Peace Prize by giving away portions of Eretz Yisrael, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) is announcing the limitations of any security guarantees given by the PA (Palestinian Authority).

Speaking with German media, the PA leader first hints at an atmosphere of optimism, denying reports that the talks with Israel have hit a "dead end".

He then added "There is not a country in the world that does not have a political option" but regarding Israeli requests that the PA control Hamas terrorism, he admits the PA's control over Gaza is limited at best. 

Hence, Livni is moving ahead as fast as the PA will permit to reach a final status agreement knowing full well the terrorism that plagues much of the country will remain unresolved. This is based on the assumption that Abu Mazen will control terror based in his areas, which to date has yielded very limited results. The burden of preventing terrorism in Yehuda and Shomron remains in the hands of the IDF, ISA (Israel Security Agency - Shin Bet), border police and other Israeli agencies.

Abu Mazen adds that any agreement reached with Israel will have to be approved by PA residents in a national referendum. He accuses Israel of taking the talks from the realm of the political to the realm of religion, referring to Israeli demands regarding eastern Yerushalayim.

www.theyeshivaworld.com
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