MUST READ: ISRAELI MINISTER CALLS FOR THIRD-CHANNEL TALKS WITH HAMAS

Israeli Minister Calls for Third-Channel Talks with Hamas

Israeli security cabinet minister and former head of the Israeli secret service Ami Ayalon discusses the crisis in the Gaza Strip, peace talks with the Palestinians and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's political future.

SPIEGEL: The Gaza Strip is on the verge of a humanitarian crisis. Last week, tens of thousands broke through the border to Egypt in order to provide themselves with food. What responsibility does Israel carry for the crisis?

Ayalon: I doubt that there is a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas leadership there is manipulating information in order to make us believe there is a crisis. They are acting cynically towards their own population.

SPIEGEL: Israel has cut, among other things, the import of diesel fuel, which is also used to provide power to hospitals.

Ayalon: I do not believe in the effectiveness of such collective punishment. First and foremost, we must fight the terrorists with intelligence and military means. I was head of the Shin Bet secret service, and I believe in targeted operations. Israel has the right to defend itself. Morally this even includes the liquidation of terrorists. We cannot allow our citizens to be forced to live under the constant firing of rockets.

SPIEGEL: Innocent civilians died last week following Israeli attempts to kill militant Palestinians.


ABOUT AMI AYALON
DPAAmi Ayalon, 62, catapulted to worldwide recognition in 2002 when he presented an alternative peace plan together with Palestinian philosopher Sari Nusseibeh -- an unusual step for a man who career had been in the military. The admiral served as commander- in- chief of the Israeli Navy and then as head of the domestic Shin Bet secret service from 1996 to 2000. In September, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appointed him as a minister without a portfolio in his security cabinet. Ayalon: Such mistakes have to be prevented. They only stir up hatred. That is why I also oppose a broad military operation, which would only bring the people to declare their solidarity with Hamas. Many Israelis don't understand this. It is popular to explain the motivation of suicide bombers by citing Islam and the promise that 72 virgins will await the martyrs in paradise. But the real motives are humiliation, desparation and loss of hope. Therefore we have to initiate, parallel to our military operations, a political process which gives the people hope.

SPIEGEL: The people in the Gaza Strip do not appear to be revolting against Hamas though.

Ayalon: I also do not believe that an inner Palestinian Intifada against Hamas is likely. Nevertheless, our strategy has been succesfull: Hamas is already begging for a cease-fire ...

SPIEGEL: ... one which Prime Minister Olmert does not want to negotiate.

Ayalon: Many people are warning that a cease-fire would strengthen Hamas. But I would say that Hamas also got strong without a cease-fire.

SPIEGEL: Should Israel negotiate with Hamas?

Ayalon: Our official negotiating partner is Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who was elected by two-thirds of his people. With Hamas we should not have direct talks but rather through a third party like Egypt, for example. If we are negotiating the release of abducted solder Gilad Shalit with Hamas, then I see no reason why we should not talk to them about a cease-fire in order to save the lives of the children in Sderot.

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Pertinent Links:

1) Israeli Minister Calls for Third-Channel Talks with Hamas