The "Convergence Plan" – the idea of forcibly expelling many tens of thousands of Jews from communities in Judea and Samaria, in a unilateral move – is still viable, according to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres. Asked Saturday whether the "dismantling" of settlements was still on the government's agenda, Peres said: "Settlements will be removed, yes. Not all settlements, and I'm not even sure that most of the settlements [will be removed]."
Speaking on Israeli government approved television Channel 2's "Meet the Press," Peres explained that the positions of the Islamic terror group Hamas would influence Israel's actions.
"We will implement it (the "Convergence Plan") according to deeds," he said. "If Hamas will be willing to negotiate, recognize Israel and reach peace, then definitely yes."
When asked whether "dozens of settlements or less" would be dismantled, Peres said he could not say, but that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert would make "a serious effort" to keep his promise to remove Judean and Samarian communities.
'We will implement it... if Hamas will be willing to negotiate, recognize Israel and reach peace'
Peres's statement appears to be at odds with previous statements by Olmert, that he had abandoned the unilateralist approach after the 2006 war with the Hizbullah in Lebanon. In November, Olmert told Newsweek and Washington Post, "After the fighting in Lebanon, and also the failure of the Palestinians to cope with continued terrorist attacks, I have second thoughts about the ability to accomplish the two-state solution through realignment [another name given by Olmert's media advisors to the 'Convergence Plan' - ed.]. It is definitely not dead, but it has to be reexamined."
Meanwhile, Hamas and Fatah spokesmen have announced that a Palestinian Authority unity government would be announced this week. However the question of who would serve as interior minister, with responsibility for the security organizations, is still a problematic issue. Hamas reportedly favors the candidacy of Hamuda Jerwan, a former Fatah man, but senior Fatah figures oppose Jerwan because of his involvement in freeing Hamas members involved in the murder of Fatah activists.
Under the power-sharing agreement between Hamas and Fatah, Hamas can nominate twelve cabinet ministers, including three independents, while Fatah can propose eight, including two independents. Hamas head Ismail Haniyeh would remain prime minister, and a Fatah man would be his deputy.
Speaking on Israeli government approved television Channel 2's "Meet the Press," Peres explained that the positions of the Islamic terror group Hamas would influence Israel's actions.
"We will implement it (the "Convergence Plan") according to deeds," he said. "If Hamas will be willing to negotiate, recognize Israel and reach peace, then definitely yes."
When asked whether "dozens of settlements or less" would be dismantled, Peres said he could not say, but that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert would make "a serious effort" to keep his promise to remove Judean and Samarian communities.
'We will implement it... if Hamas will be willing to negotiate, recognize Israel and reach peace'
Peres's statement appears to be at odds with previous statements by Olmert, that he had abandoned the unilateralist approach after the 2006 war with the Hizbullah in Lebanon. In November, Olmert told Newsweek and Washington Post, "After the fighting in Lebanon, and also the failure of the Palestinians to cope with continued terrorist attacks, I have second thoughts about the ability to accomplish the two-state solution through realignment [another name given by Olmert's media advisors to the 'Convergence Plan' - ed.]. It is definitely not dead, but it has to be reexamined."
Meanwhile, Hamas and Fatah spokesmen have announced that a Palestinian Authority unity government would be announced this week. However the question of who would serve as interior minister, with responsibility for the security organizations, is still a problematic issue. Hamas reportedly favors the candidacy of Hamuda Jerwan, a former Fatah man, but senior Fatah figures oppose Jerwan because of his involvement in freeing Hamas members involved in the murder of Fatah activists.
Under the power-sharing agreement between Hamas and Fatah, Hamas can nominate twelve cabinet ministers, including three independents, while Fatah can propose eight, including two independents. Hamas head Ismail Haniyeh would remain prime minister, and a Fatah man would be his deputy.