Israel can never achieve security through resorting to force

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said Israel's greatest illusion is that it can attain security through force and that it can silence the Palestinians who are demanding their rights.

"When will it realize that the occupation cannot last, and that the shelling cannot silence the voice of the Palestinian people,"Maher. he told Good Morning Egypt Television programme Tuesday morning.

"Another Israeli misconception is that they can get rid of the legitimate and democratically elected Palestinian Authority or that they can substitute Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat," he said.

They have tried to do, but they have failed, he added.

"Security cannot be attained by force and Israel's insistence on using force will have grave repercussions on the situation in the region," he said.

Wise Israelis have already raised their voices, among them reservists in the army who said this policy was harmful and that they refused to be part of it, he added.

"The Israeli policy that is based on aggression is the main stumbling block on the road to peace, the latest being Israeli warplanes shelling of Gaza Monday", he said.

He noted there was hope for activating the situation in region, citing the latest calls for peace in Israel and the diminishing support for Israeli policies in public opinion polls.

Israeli Prime Minister has lately received a number Palestinian authority senior figures for the first time.

"Regardless of the aims of this meeting it's important as it confirms that Israel has to deal with the Palestinian Authority" said Maher.