By Ryan Jones
Sep 30, 2005
Israel will permanently part with more of its biblical homeland in return for a temporary (nominal) display of the Palestinian Authority's ability to govern those areas already given, Vice Premier Shimon Peres said Thursday.
The appearance of PA success in Gaza, Peres told the Kuwaiti daily al-Raialaam, would encourage Israel to relinquish more land.
He did not, however, address what Israel would do if, after ?proving? its ability to govern, the PA turned around and allowed those territories under its control to revert to the base for anti-Jewish Islamic aggression they are today.
But the elder statesman did try to warn his partners in the PA that allowing Hamas to remain armed and operational would destroy what he thinks is the Palestinian Arab dream ? an independent state in Judea, Samaria and Gaza.
The PA education system and state-controlled television would suggest the Arabs' dream is somewhat different than that proposed by Peres.
Not a month goes by that various monitoring organizations are not inundated with examples of official PA incitement against the Jews' right to any of their ancient lands.
Peres insisted that without Hamas present to spoil the party, Israel would have left Gaza 10 years earlier.
The ?Palestinians,? meanwhile, have attributed the removal of Jews from Gaza to Hamas and its murderous terrorist campaign. They believe that more violence, together with negotiations, will win them more land, according to every recent public opinion poll.
?Hamas could destroy all hopes for peace. Gaza and the West Bank could enjoy freedom and independence if they could just get rid of Hamas,? Peres stated.
Observers suggested Peres should not confuse ?hopes for peace? with the Arabs' ultimate goal, which the past decade of peace efforts have shown are not the same thing.