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Vice Premier Haim Ramon. (Tess Scheflan / Jini) Last update - 21:19 19/05/2008 Ramon: Israel's government holding talks with Hamas By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel, Hamas, diplomacy  Vice Premier Haim Ramon on Monday acknowledged that Israel was holding talks with Hamas, in violation of a government decision not to conduct talks with the Islamist Palestinian group until it complies with the demands of the Quartet. The Quartet of Mideast peace negotiators - The United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia - have stipulated that Hamas must renounce violence, recognize Israel and abide by previous agreements. Ramon, speaking at a Kadima faction meeting, criticized Israel's negotiations with the militants group and voiced hope that the cabinet would soon make a strategic decision not to accept the Hamas presence along Israel's southern border. Advertisement "The IDF knows what to do," he said. "We are not fighting a terror organization, but rather a terror nation called Hamastan." Ramon's comments marked that first time a minister in the Knesset has confirmed that Israel was holding direct talks with Hamas. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said during the faction meeting that "decision time in the south is approaching," and that Israel can no longer accept the ongoing rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into southern Israeli communities. Meanwhile Monday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said that France had maintained informal contacts with Hamas recently. Kouchner confirmed reports that a retired French ambassador had met with high level Hamas officials about a month ago. Also Monday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and made no indication that Israel would accept the Egypt-brokered cease-fire agreement with Hamas. Barak told the Egyptian president that Israel would not consider a truce until the attacks from Gaza against Israel stopped entirely. Related articles: France FM: We are in touch with Hamas; group confirms informal contact Meshal offers 10-year truce for Palestinian state on '67 borders Study: Suicide bombers 'not mentally unstable' Poll: Most Israelis back direct talks with Hamas on Shalit Bookmark to del.icio.us   Fear of extinction The state of over 20 species of birds in Israel has worsened considerably. Taking advantage Jerusalem police probe possible gang rape of disabled woman.   1.   IS THIS ALRIGHT BARAK? 19:55  |  JH 19/05/08   2.   Ramon the "tongue" still allowed near the reins of government?... 20:01  |  bat yam 19/05/08   3.   Hmm, wonder how the talks went... 20:23  |  Aphemia 19/05/08   4.   It is OK to talk about a cease fire and prisoners exchange 20:30  |  Tosefta 19/05/08   5.   this better not be true 20:37  |  vik 19/05/08   6.   BIBI FOR PM BY END OF 2008 20:50  |  david 19/05/08   7.   Maybe Hamas has renounced violence in private?? 21:02  |  a wandering Jew 19/05/08   8.   This is the Most Incompetent Government Ever 21:09  |  Jane 19/05/08   9.   "We are not fighting a terror organization but 21:30  |  Akram Zekaria 19/05/08   10.   Kadima pep talk goes somethjng like this: 21:35  |  Nat 19/05/08   11.   7# A wondering Jew "Maybe Hamas has 22:00  |  Akram Zekaria 19/05/08   12.   Is THIS Israel`s Vice Premier....??? 22:01  |  Natasha 19/05/08   13.   Don`t be embarrassed, Israel 22:02  |  Clickfool 19/05/08   14.   Israel is simply scared. 22:05  |  Dutch Dirk 19/05/08   15.   Government announcement - not a decision This government is incap 22:29  |  d 19/05/08   16.   No.11---Akram Zekaria 23:25  |  a wandering Jew 19/05/08   17.   #14 - Jingoism died long ago and most people got smarter 23:39  |  redmike 19/05/08   18.   No spine, just words. Send Olmert home now. 23:53  |  Fortuna Benmayor 19/05/08   19.   #4 Tosefta Right to distinguish between military & political 23:58  |  Smadar 19/05/08   20.   Good Idea 00:11  |  Mark Lincoln 20/05/08   21.   Some people dare say that Former Pres. CARTER was wrong 00:12  |  Ari 20/05/08   22.   Mr. Vice Premier Haim Ramon 00:41  |  RW 20/05/08   23.   David, i agree BIBI should be elected PM 00:44  |  RW 20/05/08   24.   Ex Sex Pervert , Criminal , Law Offender and By Now "Etrog" Ramon 00:46  |  Joseph . E 20/05/08   25.   remember there is the A-Bomb ;-) 01:01  |  Torsten 20/05/08   26.   Can This Govt. Get Any Worse ? 01:04  |  Tod Zuckerman 20/05/08   27.   # 14 Dutch Dirk 01:04  |  Joseph . E 20/05/08   28.   Ramon -Israel` holding talks with Hamas 01:14  |  Joshua 20/05/08   29.   Did you hear about the chimp at the Zoo... 01:49  |  Rozz 20/05/08   30.   Jane #8 01:52  |  Brod 20/05/08   31.   @#11..." Hamastan MUST be erased from the map. 03:04  |  Akiva P 20/05/08   32.   I`m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here! 03:16  |  David 20/05/08   33.   16# A wandering Jew. It seems you know nothing of Jewish History 06:11  |  Akram Zekaria 20/05/08   34.   Poison Tree 06:25  |  Matt Houston 20/05/08   35.   No 33 Akram Zekaria 12:29  |  a wandering Jew 20/05/08   36.   35# a wandering jew. Wrong again. 13:27  |  Akram Zekaria 20/05/08   37.   No. 36 Akram Zekaria 13:51  |  a wandering Jew 20/05/08

Read & React Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza could take effect later this week Responses: 121 Amos Harel: Iran's fingerprints all over Gaza strife Responses: 89 McCain blasts Obama for Iran threat comments Responses: 186 Jerusalem, Petah Tikva ban 'Sex in the City' film adverts Responses: 72 Rosner's Domain 5 questions: Does Israel need rescue? Hyping the threat from Iran (WTR) Poll: Meeting the president of Iran - good or bad? Guests: In regard to Hezbollah, Israeli deterrence works "Controlled Unclassified Information" and the AIPAC trial (WTR) More Headlines 21:37 Supreme Court denies Olmert bid to block testimony against him 02:23 Police to question Olmert in Talansky bribe case Friday 23:29 Western Negev council heads implore PM to stop Qassam fire 02:26 U.K. warns Iran nukes could spark Mideast arms race 00:03 Al Gore says Israel should lead the way in renewable energy 02:11 Egypt still trying to commit smaller factions to cease-fire 20:36 Top U.S. military officer says Iran jeopardizing peace in Iraq 21:41 Comptroller: Olmert waited 18 months to make decision on Darfur refugees 21:51 Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mahatzri investigated for sexual assault 01:20 No coordination or sensitivity in dealing with Ethiopian immigrants 00:57 U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy diagnosed with malignant brain tumor 18:04 Orthodox Jewish youths burn New Testaments in Or Yehuda Previous Editions Select Day 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may

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