Israeli Deputy Defense MinisterZe'ev Boim demanded Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday to exert more efforts to crack down Palestinian militant groups.

"We continue to demand with resolve that Abu Mazen (Abbas'nickname) effectively deal with terror and dismantle its weapons infrastructure," Boim was quoted as saying by local newspaper Ha'aretz.

Boim said that Abbas should take a more tough stance toward militants "not only because he should be committed to doing so in front of the world in the framework of the road map, but because he is endangering the existence of the Palestinian National Authority(PNA) and Fatah's control of the PNA."

He, meanwhile, acknowledged Abbas' "positive actions" to rein in militants, but added that the actions were lagging. Boim also blamed Abbas for inviting the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to develop a political wing and unconditionally enter the political system in the upcoming July elections for the Legislative Council.

He said Abbas should demand Hamas to disarm, halt attacks on Israeli targets and be barred from developing a political wing while simultaneously preserving and developing its military wing.

Israel has been long taking a stanch position toward Palestinian militants who called up an uprising lasting more than four years.The Jewish state has repeatedly demanded the Palestinian leadership to crack down militants and dismantle what it called the terror infrastructure.

But Abbas, a moderate veteran Palestinian leader, wants topersuade militants into participation into the Palestinian political landscape instead of crushing them for fear of inciting national strife.

Source: Xinhua