Livni: Deals with Hamas will gravely harm Israel
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Last update - 22:49 28/06/2009
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1096200.html

Opposition leader and former foreign minister Tzipi Livni announced on
Sunday that "agreements with Hamas clearly, and gravely, harm the interests
of the state of Israel," in response to reports in Haaretz Sunday morning
that Israel and Egypt were negotiating terms of a new Gaza cease-fire.

Livni added that her remark did not include any deals made with Hamas to
secure the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit.

The negotiations between Israel and Egypt revolve around an Egyptian
proposal within a broader effort to reconcile the two main Palestinian
factions, Fatah and Hamas.

Another plank in the broader agreement being discussed is the reopening of
the crossings to the Gaza Strip, on the border with Sinai and Israel.

Speaking at a conference in Tel Aviv, Livni criticized Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu's involvement in the deal, saying that "just as halting
the negotiations with the moderates in the Palestinian Authority harms
Israel, so does formulating direct or indirect deals with Hamas, which could
legitimize the organization in exchange for a mere few days of quiet. It is
a strategic mistake that will harm Israel."

The opposition leader added that "this will undermine the interests of all
the moderate elements in the area. Just as we should strive to achieve deals
with the moderates, we should strive to confront Hamas and deny it any
legitimacy."

MK Nachman Shai, of Livni's Kadima, also criticized the prime minister's
policy in light of the reports of Israel-Egypt contacts, saying that
"Netanyahu is giving Hamas a stamp of approval. In direct contradiction with
his campaign promises, he is currently invested in legitimizing a terror
organization which has made the destruction of Israel it primary goal."

Shai added that in taking part in the deal, which is being formulated behind
the public's back, Israel is aligning itself with an Egyptian initiative to
reconcile Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, which will end up
legitimizing Hamas' Gaza government.