Yossi Beilin: Hamas' growing strength is the bitter fruit yielded by the policies of the Sharon government

12/22/05

Yossi Beilin: Hamas' growing strength is the bitter fruit yielded by the policies of the Sharon government, which took pains to destroy the infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority over the past five years.

Beilin called on the government to begin to work together with the Palestinian Authority immediately in order to bolster the moderate forces instead of wringing its hands in the face of HAMAS' growing strength.

He said that no empty US Congress resolution will help but rather action on the part of Israel. "The resumption of contacts with Abu-Mazen, cooperation in the security sphere, the release of prisoners, removal of unnecessary checkpoints, and the evacuation of illegal outposts – these are the things that will strengthen the pragmatic Palestinian camp."