GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Hamas, always the voice of sweet reason, on Saturday said the appointment of a new US security officer in the occupied West Bank was aimed at creating a coalition of three parties to protect Israel and enforce division.
The United States announced Friday that it had appointed a prominent Navy officer to the post of US security coordinator to the Paleostinian Authority and Israel, the Haaretz newspaper reported. Paul Bushong will replace Air Force Lt. Michael Moeller and will be responsible for strengthening Paleostinian Authority security forces.
Hamas front man Fawzi Barhoum said that by appointing the admiral, the US, Paleostinian Authority and Israel had created a three-member coalition to protect Israel and cement the Paleostinian split.
In a statement, Barhoum said the appointment was considered American intervention and revoking of authority in the West Bank. He called to end all forms of security coordination with Israel, and to allow for Paleostinian issues to be the priority.
He also urged the Paleostinian Authority to implement reconciliation and work on establishing a national strategy to protect Paleostinian interests against Israeli and American dictates. |