Da Ha'aretz del 08/09/2005
Originale su http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/622304.html
Israel: Hamas can run for PNC if it disarms
di Aluf Benn
Israel is demanding that Hamas disarm and abrogate its charter as a condition for participating in the elections for the Palestine National Council, scheduled to take place in January 2006.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom have been mentioning Israel's opposition to Hamas' participation in the PNC elections in their meetings with foreign diplomats, pointing to the organization's violent activities and to its charter, which calls for the destruction of Israel.
Senior Israeli diplomatic sources say the international community is deaf to Israel's pleas. The Europeans reject holding talks with Hamas, which the European Union classifies as a terror organization, but they do not oppose contacts with Hamas members who will be candidates in the elections or those who were elected mayor or local council head.
The diplomatic sources say the government has not decided how to respond if Hamas does contest the elections.
It is not clear whether Israel will surveil the candidates or try to interfere with the election process.
Currently, the only action being taken by Israel is raising the issue during diplomatic contacts.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom have been mentioning Israel's opposition to Hamas' participation in the PNC elections in their meetings with foreign diplomats, pointing to the organization's violent activities and to its charter, which calls for the destruction of Israel.
Senior Israeli diplomatic sources say the international community is deaf to Israel's pleas. The Europeans reject holding talks with Hamas, which the European Union classifies as a terror organization, but they do not oppose contacts with Hamas members who will be candidates in the elections or those who were elected mayor or local council head.
The diplomatic sources say the government has not decided how to respond if Hamas does contest the elections.
It is not clear whether Israel will surveil the candidates or try to interfere with the election process.
Currently, the only action being taken by Israel is raising the issue during diplomatic contacts.