Speaking to colleagues in a Tanach class held in the official Prime Minister�s Residence in memory of his father-in-law, Shmuel Ben-Artzi, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned of a Hamas takeover of PA (Palestinian Authority) autonomous areas.

Quoting the parsha, the prime minister stated ????? ??? ??? ?? ????? (A new king came to power in Egypt), �as it was then it can occur today�. He expounded that today, we saw this take place in Egypt and now in Syria, and it can take place in PA areas as well. �It can occur before or after an agreement, as we saw in Gaza.�

Mr. Netanyahu continued �Regarding voices heard in recent days, to run forward, to give in, to retreat, I believe that in a diplomatic process one must act responsibly, with sobriety and not hastily, for a third Iranian terror base will not be established here in the heart of Israel. Peace is attained by guaranteeing security.�

The prime minister was hinting at statements made earlier in the week by President Shimon Peres in which the president spoke of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) as Israel�s true �peace partner�, urging Israel to move ahead in a renewed diplomatic process.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)