Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, after winning world-wide praise for retreating from Gaza, upset the political apple cart Friday with a statement to the New York Times that he would actively try to keep Hamas out of the Palestinian Authority (PA) elections scheduled in January. (Click here to see report on Israel cooperating with Hamas' administration in Kalkilya.)
"We will make every effort not to help them [PA]" if Hamas participates, Sharon told reporters. "I don't think they can have elections without our help," Sharon told reporters. He suggested that Israel could leave roadblocks in place, which would block Arabs from arriving to voting stations.
"The Israeli occupation will shoulder the consequences and the responsibility for any intervention on the ground to undermine the election," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri warned.
The PA expressed shock at Sharon's statements. "If the Israelis start interfering now with our elections, this will sabotage the democratic process. I really urge the Israelis to keep their noses out of our elections," said Saeb Erekat, the chief PA negotiator.
Hamas will win at least one-third of the legislature seats, according to polls, and Sharon's aides said that its influence would harm negotiations with the PA.
The United States tried to stay out of the affair, although the Prime Minister told President George W. Bush of his intentions to keep the lid on Hamas, according to the Times. It said Bush did not react.
A White House spokesman said, "The decision as to who participates in Palestinian legislative elections is obviously up to the Palestinian Authority." However, National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones added, "[We] will not talk to any elected officials who are members of a terrorist group." The U.S. has outlawed Hamas for terrorist activities.
The Times noted that Sharon's statements coincided with his political battle against Knesset Members Uzi Landau and Binyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu to unseat him as party leader. "I have an internal political problem. I have lost the support of my party," Sharon admitted.
"We will make every effort not to help them [PA]" if Hamas participates, Sharon told reporters. "I don't think they can have elections without our help," Sharon told reporters. He suggested that Israel could leave roadblocks in place, which would block Arabs from arriving to voting stations.
"The Israeli occupation will shoulder the consequences and the responsibility for any intervention on the ground to undermine the election," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri warned.
The PA expressed shock at Sharon's statements. "If the Israelis start interfering now with our elections, this will sabotage the democratic process. I really urge the Israelis to keep their noses out of our elections," said Saeb Erekat, the chief PA negotiator.
Hamas will win at least one-third of the legislature seats, according to polls, and Sharon's aides said that its influence would harm negotiations with the PA.
The United States tried to stay out of the affair, although the Prime Minister told President George W. Bush of his intentions to keep the lid on Hamas, according to the Times. It said Bush did not react.
A White House spokesman said, "The decision as to who participates in Palestinian legislative elections is obviously up to the Palestinian Authority." However, National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones added, "[We] will not talk to any elected officials who are members of a terrorist group." The U.S. has outlawed Hamas for terrorist activities.
The Times noted that Sharon's statements coincided with his political battle against Knesset Members Uzi Landau and Binyamin (Bibi) Netanyahu to unseat him as party leader. "I have an internal political problem. I have lost the support of my party," Sharon admitted.