Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniya looked set Thursday to be appointed new Palestinian prime minister as Israel prepared to impose a series of sanctions after the Islamists form a new government.
Hamas sources said Haniya, who led the radical movement to a landslide victory in last month’s general election, was clear favourite to be installed as head of government after Saturday’s inaugural session of the new Parliament.
But he was unlikely to be able to visit the Palestinian Authority’s seat of government in Ramallah any time soon as Israel said it would prevent any Hamas premier from travelling from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank.
Hamas received a diplomatic boost when an expected invitation for talks in Moscow arrived, but the European Union said it would continue to freeze out a group that the 25-nation bloc and Washington regards as a terrorist movement.
In an interview with Agence France-Presse, Haniya said Hamas would not renounce violence once it comes to power but would work with the moderate Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas who is committed to a negotiated settlement with Israel.
Although Haniya stopped short of confirming he would be named premier, Hamas sources said the 43-year-old was “the strongest candidate”.
Haniya himself said the head of government “will be from the Gaza Strip” and that Hamas would hold “discussions with other parliamentary groups” about joining a coalition after MPs are sworn in.
Haniya will have to observe proceedings in the Ramallah-based Parliament via videolink after Israel said it would not issue travel permits.
“Those who belong to a terrorist movement that advocates the destruction of the state of Israel cannot claim any privilege concerning their freedom of movement,” said an official in the prime minister’s office.
Israel was also plotting economic sanctions, preparing to withhold millions of dollars in tax duties from the Palestinian Authority.
“The idea is to put the Palestinians on a diet but not make them die of hunger,” prime ministerial adviser Dov Weisglass was quoted as saying at a meeting to discuss how to deal with a Hamas government.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Israel would stop reimbursing tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority following Saturday’s inauguration.
Following further discussions between security chiefs, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to approve on Friday the measures Israel will take once the radical movement is sworn into Parliament.
“As of Saturday, Hamas, a terror organisation, will be in charge of the Palestinian finance ministry and money,” said Mark Regev, spokesperson for the Israeli foreign ministry. “Under these conditions, I do not expect the transfer [of funds] to happen on the first of next month.”
The European Union and United States have also threatened to curtail funding to the Palestinian Authority if Hamas does not renounce violence and recognise the Jewish state’s right to exist.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, speaking after talks with Abbas, said Europe would insist on Hamas recognising Israel’s right to exist and renouncing violence.
“The European Union will not invite any leader from Hamas or anyone from Hamas and the European Union will not contact Hamas until we see who will form the new government and what the programme of the new government will be.
“I hope the new government will respect the choice of Palestinian people of peace and a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel.”
Solana said, however, that Brussels would continue its cooperation with Abbas and stressed that the biggest aid donor to the Palestinian Authority “will never abandon the Palestinian people”.
Haniya, meanwhile, revealed that another key player in the peace process, Russia, had invited Hamas to talks in Moscow. A delegation would travel to Russia in the next few days, he added.
Another senior Hamas leader, Damascus-based politburo chief Khaled Meshaal, was holding talks in Turkey — Israel’s chief ally in the Muslim world.
Livni downplayed the visit and said Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul called to inform her of his government’s intention to host the talks. – AFP