Ya'alon: Hamas exploiting democratic system

Democracy in the Gaza Strip must be achieved through "education rather than elections," says vice premier.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Hamas supporters 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Hamas supporters 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Hamas is exploiting the democratic system in order to take control of the Gaza Strip and institute its Islamic rule, Vice Premier and Minister of Strategic Affairs Moshe Ya’alon warned on Thursday.
Speaking at a seminar hosted by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Ya'alon addressed Hamas's six-year command over the Strip since it won the 2006 Palestinian elections.
Democracy can help stabilize countries, he explained, but must be achieved “through education rather than elections.”
Turning to the Iranian threat, Ya'alon called the Islamic Republic the “main generator and instigator of instability in the Middle East.”
According to the vice premier, Iran must be put in a situation where it would need to choose between the continuation of its nuclear weapons program or its own survival.
“It is not too late to put the regime in such a dilemma,” Ya’alon said, advising the international community to impose sanctions on it "without hesitation" and despite spikes in oil prices.