In a briefing to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee,
Diskin said Hamas, despite a PA crackdown, has retained control over its
large educational and social welfare network in the West Bank. He said Hamas
also controlled most of the mosques and related charities in the area.
Officials said Hamas was particularly strong in West Bank cities. They
cited Bethlehem, Hebron, Kalkilya, Nablus and Tulkarm.
"Any election [in the West Bank] would be seen as a second victory for
Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood in this area and would have a dangerous
impact on the whole region, particularly in neighboring countries," Diskin
said.
Diskin said the Fatah-dominated PA was aware of Hamas's strength in the
West Bank. As a result, he said, Fatah and Hamas stood little chance in
reaching an agreement to form a unity government.
"Hamas will never relinquish its hold on Gaza and the PA will never
relinquish the West Bank," Diskin said. "A unity government will form only
under extreme international pressure."