New move in an old game

Israel is demanding that Hamas disarm before the Palestinian elections because Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) will not act against Hamas or any other terrorist group in his own "borders". Thus:

Raanan Gissin, an aide to Israeli Prime Minister
Ariel Sharon, said the steps Abbas has taken so far are not enough if the Palestinians want to move forward with the "road map" peace plan.

"We are not getting involved in Palestinian politics, but we are saying that if Hamas participates in the elections and remains an armed group then we won't be able to advance in the peace process," Gissin said. Palestinians cannot move toward democracy if they have a group with a "private army" participating in elections, he added.