Israel won't stop transfer of aid to Palestinians

[bemildred]

The headline is a bit misleading. There is a bit of sanity in there, but I also have a sense that the Israeli policy wonks are going nuts trying to figure out how the handle the unpleasant surprise. Still no sign on any questioning of the fundamental assumptions that got us here in the first place, though. Witness this quote: "It's like a meeting with a dietitian," an advisor to the prime minister, Dov Weissglas, said. "We need to make them lose weight, but not to die."

Israel will not oppose the transfer of international aid funds to humanitarian organizations in the Palestinian Authority following the establishment of a new government led by Hamas, it was decided Wednesday after a consultation headed by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

Livni convened the discussion, which focused on the international community's position vis-a-vis a Hamas-led regime. The government will acquiesce to the transfer on the condition that the aid does not reach PA hands.

Jerusalem will work towards delegitimizing the new Palestinian government as well as freeze the transfer of tax revenues which Israel collects for the PA, officials at the meeting Wednesday decided.

Haaretz

[Kagemusha]

1. At least someone in Israel is using his brain

This shows why starving the PA without starving the Palestinians is a very touchy endeavour.