Hamas urges direct dialogue with EU, Gaza official says
France FM Bernard says Paris would be willing to hold direct dialogue with Hamas if the Palestinian Authority requests it.
By DPA Tags: Israel news Gaza Hamas EUHamas officials on Saturday called on European Union countries to start direct dialogue with the Islamist movement that controls the Gaza Strip.
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EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton visiting a UN-run summer camp in Gaza July 18, 2010. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner had earlier Saturday expressed his country's readiness to hold direct dialogue with Hamas, "if France receives an official request from the Palestinian Authority."
"The European Union and France shouldn't hesitate in having direct dialogue with Hamas on the basis of direct dialogue and not on the basis of containment," said Ismail Radwan, a Gaza-based senior Hamas leader.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton visited the Gaza Strip last week, but did not meet with any leaders of Hamas, which seized control of the enclave by force in 2007.
The Hamas movement, which is listed by the United States and Europe among the world's terrorist organizations, won 2006 legislative elections held in the Palestinian territories.
"Hamas is keeping its doors opened for anyone who wants to have a dialogue with the movement," said Radwan, adding "Hamas has now a government and a parliament."
Hamas continues to rebuff the demands of the diplomatic group known as the Quartet - made up of the U.S., UN, EU and Russia - to recognize Israel and the signed interim peace treaties and condemn violence.
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How ironic! Abbas and the Palestinian Authority is resisting direct talks with Israel, but the E.U. is contemplating talks wikth Hamas, a terrorist organization.
What makes the EU think that they want a state. They have been offered a state several times and have refused. The status quo is better. Fatah can continue to steal hundreds of millions from naive foreign donors and any problems can be blamed on Israel.
Hamas is the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, elected in by overwhelming majority in the last democratic polls. Europe can't be preaching democracy, and then punish for choosing the "wrong" candidate. Without Hamas, the Middel East conflict has no solution. A little bit of common sense is needed.
"French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner had earlier Saturday expressed his country's readiness to hold direct dialogue with Hamas"... This is outrageous!!! TALKING TO HAMAS??? First Turkey, now France!!! What is the world coming to?? Antisemites, the lot of them!! Come on Israel, please join me in this condemnation!! What I need now is is some anti French rhetoric!! And someone dig up some French history, fast!! Do Israelis go to France on holiday? Yes? Boycott France, and French goods now!! have I missed anything?? I knew that Sarkozy was right wing, but this is just unacceptable!! They're not sending a flotilla as well are they??
Hamas, Taliban, Iran, Saudi Arabia want the world to accept their way of life, while their way of life stands for everything Western world,modern democracies abhor (misogyny. rape, incest, war, racism, anti-Gay, religious discrimination, hatred, murder).
Abbas and his Fatah faction are have not been attacking Israel. Hamas and certain other Palestinian militant groups have been attacking Israel. As a result, Israel refuses to talk to Hamas and instead, will make peace with Fatah. Hello? Is anybody home in the Israeli leadership? You make peace with your enemies, not your friends.
There go the Europeans again, kissing the terror-thugs. Instead of choking off the murderers, France kisses them. No wonder France is in the twilight, Paris will soon be a faded memory. Always betting on the wrong side.
and they are in state of war with Israel. They should be treated accordingly ...