Iran funding Fatah

From Ynet News, 6/2/07, by Neta Sela ...

Yaalon blames Middle East instability on Islamic Republic's backing of Hizbullah, Hamas and Fatah, says 'Muslim world is awaiting the fall of the United States'

Former IDF chief Moshe Yaalon blamed Iran for much of the instability in the Middle East, accusing Tehran of funding extremist groups such as Hizbullah and Hamas.

In an unprecedented revelation, he also included Fatah on Tehran's funding list.

"Many think that problems in the Middle East spring from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That's not true. The source of the problem is Iran. The Iranians are giving money to Hamas, Fatah and Hizbullah," Yaalon told the Conference of Presidents of American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem.

President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction has been supported by the United States and other western nations for its opposition to Hamas' refusal to recognize Israel.

...Yaalon slammed the international community for turning a blind eye to Iran's endeavor to threaten Israel's security and making overt threats to wipe out the Jewish state, deeds he said were "the real problem" in the Middle East.

He also said the Muslim world is awaiting the fall of the United States, charging that the 9/11 terror attacks underscored the fact that Muslim extremists are bent on destroying the last remaining super power.

Prof. Lewis, an expert on Islam, said the Iranian regime is apocalyptic, and its determination to seek nuclear technology underscores its intention on using those weapons against the United States. "Iran wants nuclear weapons in order to harm the major world power," he said.

...Lubrani, an adviser to Defense Minister Amir Peretz, expressed concern over Iran's influence over Lebanon's Shiite population, many of whom serve in the Lebanese army but owe their loyalty to Tehran's proxy Hizbullah.

Lubrani urged the United States to show zero flexibility on Iran's nuclear issue, adding that a large segment of Iranians oppose President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's confrontational mantra against the west.