Israel rules out dealing with Hamas

ACTING Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday ruled out contacts with a Hamas-led Palestinian government until the Islamic group renounces violence, while his defence minister threatened to “liquidate” Hamas militants involved in attacks.

The latest comments indicate Israel has no intention of backing down from the tough line it has taken since Hamas won a landslide victory in Palestinian legislative elections last week.

The group, which opposes the existence of Israel and has killed hundreds of Israelis in suicide bombings, is expected to lead the next Palestinian government, hurting the chances for a peace deal.

However, Hamas-backed Palestinian lawmaker Ziad Abu Amr said on Saturday he believes the group is flexible enough to reach an understanding with Israel.

Meanwhile, about 7,000 Israeli security forces, anticipating violent resistance, were training to dismantle two small West Bank settler outposts later this week.

Resistance is expected to be fierce in Amona and among Israeli squatters who took over an abandoned market in the Palestinian city of Hebron.

Mr Olmert, addressing the weekly meeting of his Cabinet, said he has received widespread international support for the Israeli position toward Hamas.

“We clarified that without a clear abandonment of the path of terror, a recognition of Israel’s right to exist in security and peace ... Israel won’t have any contact with the Palestinians,” he said.

Mr Olmert has not decided whether to accept defence officials’ recommendation to stop transferring to the Palestinian government the tens of millions of euro in taxes and customs it collects monthly from Palestinians, fearing this could cause the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority to collapse.

Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said Israel was prepared to resume its deadly airstrikes on Hamas targets.

“Those who head terror organisations and continue to engage in terror against the state of Israel will be liquidated,” he said.

Hamas’s supreme leader, Khaled Mashaal, said on Saturday the group would not disarm but suggested it could fold the thousands of fighters in its militant wing into a Palestinian army.

Hamas won 74 out of 132 seats in parliamentary elections last Wednesday to Fatah’s 45. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has asked Hamas to form a new government.