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Israel to Halt Payments to PalestiniansPosted on Feb 20, 2006The Guardian: Israel halts funds to Palestinian Authority Israel froze contacts with what it called the “terrorist” Palestinian Authority yesterday, and put a block on the transfer of funds, the day after the swearing in of a Hamas-dominated parliament. “Israel views the rise of Hamas as a dangerous milestone that turns the Palestinian Authority into a terrorist authority,” said the acting prime minister, Ehud Olmert. “Israel will not hold contacts with the administration in which Hamas plays any part - small, large or permanent.” BBC: Hamas dismisses Israeli sanctions Newly named Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya has dismissed the effect of Israeli financial restrictions on the Palestinian Authority (PA). Mr Haniya also played down the impact of a drop in Western aid, saying Arab and Islamic states would step in. Washington Post: As the results of the recent Palestinian elections are implemented, it’s important to understand how the transition process works and also how important to it are actions by Israel and the United States. Although Hamas won 74 of the 132 parliamentary seats, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas retains the right to propose and veto legislation, with 88 votes required to override his veto. With nine of its elected members remaining in prison, Hamas has only 65 votes, plus whatever third-party support it can attract. Abbas also has the power to select and remove the prime minister, to issue decrees with the force of law when parliament is not in session, and to declare a state of emergency. As commander in chief, he also retains ultimate influence over the National Security Force and Palestinian intelligence. Advertisement Previous item: North Carolina GOP Asks for Church Directories Next item: Navy Warned Pentagon on Torture Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment
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By Howard Harawitz, February 22, 2006 at 4:36 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
The refusal of the US and Israel not only to negotiate with the elected representatives of the Palestinians, also to punish them economically, is a fine example of how much both countries value “democracy.”
Some of us have seen this kind of behavior before, although the consequences were not nearly as serious or painful. Back in the sixties, at the University of California, the administration gave the student body a similar lesson in democracy when it took away the right of graduate students to vote after they had elected radical representatives to the student government.
Report thisBy robert davies, February 21, 2006 at 2:02 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Ben Gurion was no less a murderer than leading Hamas figures are today. Ben Gurion, later Prime Minister of Israel, was opposing the British occupation forces; Hamas is opposing an even more ruthless Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.
It is shameful that the U.S. media parrot (as do
Report thisour fascist leaders)whatever the Israelis say. What happened to the incredible dedication to justice that has so distinguished the Jewish people?