Source: The Jerusalem Post
Jan 19, 2007
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appeared determined Thursday to further foment tension between Fatah and Hamas, tensions which was described by the US ambassador to Israel this week as good for the Jewish state.
On Thursday Israel reportedly transfered US$100 million to Fatah and Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas in order to strengthen him against Hamas.
The funds were from taxes due to the Hamas-majority PA but which Israel froze after the extremist terror group won the elections last year.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was in the region this past week, encourage Olmert to release the funds to Abbas.
Israel says it has attached strict requirements to the releasing of the money to ensure it is not spent on any Hamas projects.
Hamas officias have labeled Abbas an Israeli and American stooge and a traitor, and have threatened to assassinate him.
This animosity shown Abbas has served to strengthen the perception that he is a moderate with whom Israel can negotiate; a case of 'my enemy's enemy is my friend.'
In fact, Abbas is as committed as the Hamas leadership to the eventual destruction of Israel