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The Hamas Victory and Olmert's Vision

(Financial Times-UK) Harvey Morris - Mr. Olmert, denounced by those in Israel who fear he is about to cede more Jewish territory, said: "We firmly stand by the historic right of the people of Israel to the entire Land of Israel. Every hill in Samaria and every valley in Judea," he said, referring to the West Bank, "is part of our historic homeland." Olmert made clear that the only reason Israel was prepared to accept the creation of a Palestinian state was for its own benefit. A Jewish majority in that same Land of Israel could not be assured as long as Israel maintained its control over the Palestinian population of the territories. Just as Israelis had been forced to abandon some of their cherished national dreams, so would the Palestinians, he said. It is an option that pragmatists in Hamas have not entirely ruled out. As one of its leaders graphically stated, it is difficult to ignore the existence of a neighbor who drives his tanks down your streets. Olmert has pledged to fix Israel's borders, unilaterally if necessary. The victory of the Islamists reinforces his argument that he has no partner for peace as he proceeds to consolidate Israel's hold on West Bank settlements and the Jordan Valley. "For those in Israel who want to continue unilaterally, the Hamas victory is a great opportunity," said an official close to Mahmoud Abbas.
2006-03-31 00:00:00
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