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Last update - 09:42 25/02/2008 Qatar willing to broker cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas By Barak Ravid ,Haaretz Correspondent Tags: israel, qatar, hamas  Qatar is willing to broker a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the Qatari prime minister, Sheikh Hamed bin Jassem al-Thani, told MK Yossi Beilin (Meretz) in Doha on Sunday. Beilin, a former deputy foreign minister, met the Qatari at a conference for retired foreign ministers. Al-Thani also acts as his country's foreign minister. "You are making a big mistake if you think you can reach an agreement with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas without including Hamas in the talks," said the Qatari premier, according to a report of the conversation received by Haaretz. Hamas, continued al-Thani, "must be taken into account," because even if talks do progress with Abbas, "he will not be able to sign an agreement without Hamas's consent." Advertisement The Qatari added that "the possibility of separating Hamas and Abbas is an illusion" and said that the Mecca Agreement must be revived. Under that agreement, signed by Hamas and Fatah in Mecca in February last year, the two organizations agreed to stop their military clashes and form a national unity government. However, the deal quickly disintegrated, finally ending in June when Hamas seized power in the Gaza Strip in a bloody coup. Beilin reminded al-Thani that Hamas is not interested in signing a peace deal with Israel and said that Hamas's intransigence made it difficult for Israel to support its return to the Palestinian government. To that, al-Thani replied: "You should at least strive to reach a cease-fire with them," adding: "Qatar is open to assisting Israel in any attempt to talk to any Arab state or organization, Hamas included." However, al-Thani warned, Israel's conditions for a cease-fire are unrealistic. The Qatari official insisted that Hamas has undergone "dramatic changes," contrary to Israel's view of the organization. "The fact that they are now speaking about a cease-fire and a temporary state in the borders of 1967 is a significant development that must not be overlooked," he said. As the conversation progressed, al-Thani told Beilin that Qatar was "more open to Israel than any other Arab state," citing the fact that Shahar Peer was allowed to participate in an international tennis tournament in Doha. "When she was here, we had no problem putting up Israeli flags across the city," he said. "It wasn't easy and I received criticism for it, but I insisted on it." Related articles: Qatar PM sues Kuwaiti paper which criticized his ties to Israel Livni cancels Qatar visit due to Hamas plan to attend summit Qatar proposes Abbas, Haniyeh, Meshal meet at Doha summit Emir of Qatar tells Peres that Israel must talk to Hamas Bookmark to del.icio.us   Personalized workout Boutique gyms is the next big thing - for those who can pay. No to non-violence 'Human chain' against the blockade on gaza yields disappointing turnout.   1.   Good Luck 06:00  |  MIKE 25/02/08   2.   no cease fire 06:03  |  roger 25/02/08   3.   Israel should appreciate any positive moves by Qatar or anyone 07:38  |  Steve Randolph 25/02/08   4.   please hold yosi beilin out of israel 07:44  |  reuven 25/02/08   5.   Yet no one says you can`t sign an agreement without Likud 07:46  |  McQueen 25/02/08   6.   How about doing everyone a favour, Haaretz 08:22  |  Johnboy 25/02/08   7.   To Roger (no.2) 08:36  |  R 25/02/08   8.   Fatah is not different than Hamas. 09:57  |  Jean Van Daem 25/02/08   9.   Their"temporary" state is only until they can grab Israel State 11:25  |  Alan 25/02/08   10.   FACT IS: ISRAEL IS NOT SINCERE ABOUT PEACE. 12:11  |  TripleJump 25/02/08   11.   FACT IS PALS DO NOT WANT PEACE 13:14  |  petra 25/02/08   12.   Everything Arabs Say & Do Is In Line To Assert Dhimmitude Upon 13:27  |  Joseph . E 25/02/08   13.   No peace without Hamas 14:33  |  Hilda 25/02/08   14.   NO to cease fire crap 15:01  |  Brod 25/02/08   15.   TRIPLE JUMP FACT IS HAMAS EXCLUDES PEACE FOREVER 15:30  |  PETER SM 25/02/08   16.   shmeacefire 16:15  |  shai 25/02/08   17.   LAND GRAB, MURDER, HOUSE DEMOLITIONS, NEGATE PEACE 17:26  |  TripleJump 25/02/08   18.   Joseph E#12: Dhimmitude is ONLY good for zionists to practice! 17:29  |  Eric 25/02/08   19.   Joseph E: Under zionist Dhimmitude even trees are destroyed ! 17:31  |  Drogba 25/02/08   20.   Only the total surrender by Hamas will do! 17:57  |  Moishe Kadish 25/02/08   21.   Qatari offer is an example for all Arabs 18:14  |  Yosi 25/02/08   22.   Israel will say NO as it always does 18:25  |  POP 25/02/08   23.   NO to Qatar 19:32  |  Brod 25/02/08

Today Online Gaza protest of Israeli siege yields disappointing turnout Responses: 447 Bradley Burston: Palestine's doomsday weapon - non-violence - fails its test Responses: 203 Canadian Jew loses bid to have 'Jerusalem, Israel' in passport Responses: 134 Obama`s top adviser: Israel and Arabs must negotiate own peace Responses: 160 Akiva Eldar: AIPAC does not even bother to rally for two-state solution Responses: 86 Rosner's Domain "Reasonable people can agree or disagree on meeting Ahmadinejad" Clinton allies say: Obama bad for Israel (WTR) Iran Could Have Enough Uranium for a Bomb by Year's End (WTR) Poll: Is it time for Israel to end the blockade in Gaza? McCain, a supporter of Israel with a 'Judeophile' brother More Headlines 09:25 High Court upholds Katsav sex crimes plea bargain 07:55 Iran ordered to pay $33 million to murdered Israeli diplomat's family 07:39 ANALYSIS: In the end blood was shed in Sderot, not Gaza 02:13 Report: Widow of slain Hezbollah terrorist blames Syria for killing 06:46 Store manager fined for employing Jewish workers on Shabbat 07:26 Israeli diplomat postpones meeting after Costa Rica recognizes Palestinian state 06:22 Iran UN envoy: Exiled group feeding U.S. lies on weapons plan 03:08 Olmert aides: Demonstration in Gaza 'much ado about nothing' 01:39 Will Obama be supportive of an Israel controlled by a Likud government? 06:06 Australian soccer player to be disciplined for dressing as Hitler 08:35 Vets mend sea turtle's limb in first operation of its kind in Israel Previous Editions Select Day 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb

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