Peres: Israel should help Fatah

Israel is prepared to help Mahmoud Abbas fight Hamas, Shimon Peres said. The vice premier said Wednesday that Israel is staying out of this week’s flare-up of fighting between the Palestinian Authority president’s Fatah faction and their Hamas rivals, but could provide help if asked. “We should help Mr. Abbas in his fight against the terrorists,” Peres told reporters during a visit to Estonia. “We can only respond to Mr. Abbas’ requests for help. We will not intervene in the war itself, but if Mr. Abbas will request specific help, we will supply” it. Hamas has accused Israel and the United States of bolstering Fatah forces in a fight for control of the Palestinian Authority.