Outgoing Shin Bet chief calls fear of Hamas-Fatah deal 'out of proportion'

[Douglas Carpenter]

Outgoing Shin Bet chief calls fear of Hamas-Fatah deal 'out of proportion'

Diskin calls Hamas acceptance of deal 'a tactical move' made in the context of wider unrest in the Middle East region.

By Amos Harel

Outgoing Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin said Wednesday that reactions to the reconciliation between rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah have been blown out of proportion.

Diskin attributed Hamas' change of heart to concern in the wake of developments in the region - particularly the potential collapse of Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

The leaders of Hanas are trapped between their support of Assad and calls by Sunni clerics to overthrow the regime, Diskin clarified, adding that the Islamist movement is keen on improving its relations with Egypt and its new government.

snip:

The outgoing Shin Bet chief also dissented from Israeli proposals to freeze the transfer of tax money to the Palestinian Authority. "Overall, we have to give the Palestinian Authority money," he said.

"If we, the Americans and the West do not give money, there will be no Palestinian Authority - this a matter for strategic decision making," he added. "At the moment, as long as the Palestinian Authority remains in status quo, there is no reason to change our policies toward them or the security arrangements we have with them."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/outgoing-shin-bet-chief-calls-fear-of-hamas-fatah-deal-out-of-proportion-1.359825

[Scurrilous]

1. Thanks.

:thumbsup:

[oberliner]

2. Diskin: Fatah-Hamas agreement is a façade, won't last

The reconciliation agreement signed on Wednesday in Cairo between Fatah and Hamas will not last and there will not be genuine Palestinian unity for years to come, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Yuval Diskin predicted Wednesday in a rare briefing to the press.

“I think that the chance there will be real reconciliation between the sides over the next two or three years is slim,” said Diskin, who will step down on May 15 after six years as head of the Shin Bet. He will be replaced by his former deputy Yoram Cohen.

http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?ID=219171&R=R1

It does seem like this whole "unity" agreement could be bogus.