A luncheon with Meretz MK Abu Vilan: A New Reality for Israel & Palestine?

On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, Member of Knesset Avshalom Vilan spoke with Meretz USA about the deteriorating situation in Gaza.  Below is a summary of his remarks.

MK Vilan began by describing the origins of the current round of fighting between Fatah and Hamas, which has led to Hamas taking control of Gaza.  He explained that the situation has been brewing for some time now.  After Israel withdrew from Gaza and after attempts to negotiate with Israel and the United States came to nothing, many Palestinians began to believe that only force could achieve anything. 

On these grounds, MK Vilan asserted, Khaled Meshal, Hamas’ exiled political leader in Syria, gave direct orders for the military branch to attack, bypassing the group’s political leadership.  Even Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian Prime Minister, was surprised by the outbreak of violence.

MK Vilan also elaborated on the link between the current fighting and Iran, which, he noted, influences Hamas and Hezbollah through Syria.  For this reason, he recommended that Israel negotiate with Syria as a way to isolate Iran.  However, he also highlighted the difficulties Olmert with find in doing so.  In the case of negotiations, it is possible that the government coalition would fall apart, as Yisrael Beitanu or Likud-minded members of Kadima pull out. 

Finally, MK Vilan argued that it would be folly to reach an agreement with the West Bank and not with Gaza, as some are suggesting.  Hamas has very strong roots in the refugee camps in the West Bank and would never let this disconnect happen.  It would only take a few terror attacks to stop any agreement that deals only with the West Bank.