Iranian influence over Hamas will preclude the Quartet from approving a Palestinian national unity government, Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter predicted on Thursday. | This agreement violates the Quartet's three principles for recognizing a government which include recognizing Israel, abiding by past agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority and renouncing violence. |
Speaking to The Jerusalem Post on the last day of a four-day North American trip, Dichter said that the Saudi-brokered Palestinian cease-fire talks in Mecca "are one of the main issues" that he discussed with his American counterparts during the less than 48 hours in Washington.
"We have found common ground between America and Israel that the creation of a unity government without accepting the three conditions of the Quartet is meaningless. We are on the right road, but if [they don't accept the conditions], we'll be stuck in the same problems," Dichter explained.
The former Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head and Brookings Institute fellow said that the Quartet's plans were being derailed by none other than the long arm of Iran, which, according to Dichter, maintained a "northern front" against Israel through Hizbullah and a "southern front" through Hamas.
"Khaled Mashaal, as the leader of Hamas, is coordinating with Iran every step that is happening with Abu Mazen," Dichter explained, adding: "That's why I am not that optimistic about the possibility that after the summit we will see a decision made to accept the conditions of the Quartet."
According to Dichter, both the Democratic-controlled Congress and the Bush administration were interested in hearing about the Iranian connection with both Hamas and Hizbullah. State Department officials and Dichter discussed "Iran as a state of terror that supports Hamas and Hizbullah."