Posted on 02/05/2006 12:35:19 PM PST by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
PALESTINIAN recognition of Israel was a mistake that needs correction, a senior Hamas leader said, as the group faces pressure from Europe and the US to recognise the Jewish state.
The militant Islamist group will not consider recognising Israel while the status of the country's borders remains unclear and millions of Palestinian refugees are not unable to return to their homes, the group's deputy political leader said.
"We believe that there was a mistake that happened in the past and this (recognition of Israel) in particular must be corrected," Moussa Abu Marzouk told reporters in Cairo without giving further details.
The late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat recognised Israel on behalf of the Palestinian people as part of the 1993 Oslo peace agreements.
Hamas is trying to form a new Palestinian government after defeating the long-dominant Fatah movement in January 25 elections.
Israeli officials have said Hamas has to unequivocally recognise Israel's right to exist and abandon terrorism.
The UN security council has made the same demand.
The US and EU have said a Hamas-led Palestinian Authority would risk losing crucial foreign aid unless the group disarmed and recognised Israel.
Officials from the group have said they will not compromise their principles for aid, saying alternative funding could come from Arab and Islamic countries.
Mr Marzouk said Israel had continued building settlements and occupying and controlling access to Palestinian territory despite official Palestinian recognition.
Israel said the status of settlements will be decided in peace talks with the Palestinians and that it undertakes military operations in Palestinian areas to protect the security of its citizens.
"Where are the borders of the Israel we are supposed to recognise?" said Mr Marzouk. "Are the settlements included in the borders of Israel? ... Is the return of the refugees acceptable to Israel?"
"Until these questions are answered, it is not possible to propose it (recognition)," he said.
Ping
so now there are two nations that have govenments with a policy of erasing Israel from the map.
The article would more accurately state Hamas' position if it got rid of the 'recognition of' part from the lead sentence.
The mistake was Israel giving up land on the West bank. It showed the thugs that violence works.
Why is it so important for ham-ass to recognise Israel? It will not stop the murders of Israelis by these terrorists.
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Forget any treaties they may have signed in the past. Forget the Millions---no, Billions--- of dollars supposedly for the PA that have gone missing over the years. Forget any promises previous administrations may have made and any borders that were drawn. Hamas is in charge and all bets are off.
How can you deal with such a regime?
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