[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:

So you are a lefty employee at the Foreign Ministry.

You have been working there for many years and, of course, have a monopoly
on the truth.

Those idiot unwashed masses may have elected a government that follows a
policy you disagree with. But you aren't about to let the democratic
process get in the way.

Now its one thing to shoot off a memo to the foreign minister and
everybody-else-and-his-brother in the Foreign Ministry sharing your wisdom

That's perfectly legitimate.

But sending it to Barak Ravid at Haaretz in order to bushwhack the Netanyahu
administration with a headline that attempts to undermine Israeli policy?

That's another story.

This lefty, who has absolutely no respect for the system of government that
pays his salary, should be shown the door.

Today.]

Israel Foreign Ministry views Hamas-Fatah deal differently than Netanyahu
Confidential Foreign Ministry report calls Palestinian reconciliation
agreement 'an opportunity,' despite premier's recent comments following the
deal's announcement.
By Barak Ravid Haaretz Published 01:06 04.05.11
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-foreign-ministry-views-hamas-fatah-deal-differently-than-netanyahu-1.359706

An internal, confidential Foreign Ministry report advises that the creation
of a Fatah-Hamas unity government in the Palestinian Authority would offer
Israel a strategic opportunity. The views expressed in the paper are clearly
counter to those expressed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since the
reconciliation reached last week by the Palestinian factions. The
reconciliation document is expected to be signed in Cairo today.

"The Palestinian move is not only a security threat but also a strategic
opportunity to create genuine change in the Palestinian context," the report
states. "Such change may serve the long-term interests of Israel."

The report was delivered earlier this week to Foreign Minister Avigdor
Lieberman, Foreign Ministry Director General Rafael Barak and other senior
figures. It was prepared by the ministry's policy planning division, which
is staffed by career diplomats and is responsible for formulating foreign
policy recommendations.

The division was expanded, and its role heightened, as part of the
implementation of the recommendations of the Winograd Committee. That panel
investigated Israel's failings in the the 2006 Second Lebanon War.

Instead of counseling blanket opposition to a Palestinian unity government
the authors of the report recommend that Israel adopt a "constructive
approach that would sharpen the dilemma on the Palestinian side" regarding
the aims of such a government and Hamas' unwillingness to recognize Israel.

The authors of the report believe that a more positive approach to
Palestinian reconciliation efforts would help to improve relations between
Jerusalem and Washington. "Israel must be a team player and coordinate its
response to a Palestinian unity government with the administration," the
report states. "This will empower the United States and serve Israeli
interests."

Since last Wednesday, when Fatah and Hamas announced their reconciliation,
Netanyahu has assailed the accord. Despite the fact that Israel was taken
aback by the Palestinian move, Netanyahu issued a statement within two hours
after the announcement - rejecting it out of hand. Two days later Finance
Minister Yuval Steinitz announced he would delay the transfer to the PA of
NIS 300 million that Israel collected in taxes on its behalf.

The authors of the Foreign Ministry report offered a very different way of
responding to the Fatah-Hamas agreement. "At the current stage, prior to the
confirmation of the agreement, Israel must be careful in its policy and
declarations," the report states in an indirect critique of Netanyahu.

The report recommends a measured Israeli response to the potential formation
of a Palestinian unity government that takes into consideration the need to
address Palestinian plans to seek international recognition for a
Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.

"We must avoid expressions or moves that will weaken Israel against the
Palestinians in the international arena, especially in view of the strategic
challenges that are expected during the year," the report stressed.

Yesterday Netanyahu continued his offensive against the agreement, calling
on PA President Mahmoud Abbas to cancel the deal immediately.

"The agreement between Abu Mazen [Abbas] and Hamas strikes a serious blow to
the peace process," Netanyahu said in a meeting with Mideast Quartet envoy
Tony Blair. "How is it possible to achieve peace with a government, half of
which calls for the destruction of Israel and even praises the arch-murderer
Osama Bin Laden?" he added.

The report includes a series of recommendations. Topping the list is the
continuation of security coordination with the Palestinian Authority, "which
is in Israel's interest and has resulted in a dramatic drop in terrorism."
The report also recommends that Israel should ask the international
community to set detailed criteria for the proposed new Palestinian
government.

It also recommended that an official delegation be sent to Cairo, in order
to heighten coordination with Egypt's interim government. Isaac Molho,
Netanyahu's envoy for the peace process, is slated to travel to Cairo Sunday
to meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi and other senior
figures.

Netanyahu will meet with his British counterpart, David Cameron, in London
today before traveling to Paris tomorrow for a meeting with French President
Nicolas Sarkozy. Netanyahu is expected to ask his colleagues to express
opposition to a Palestinian unity government and to contribute to blocking
the expected demand for international recognition of an independent state at
the UN General Assembly in the fall.

Both Britain and France have expressed their support for Palestinian
reconciliation and are leaning toward supporting international recognition
for a Palestinian state in September.