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Foreign Ministry Protests EU Contacts with Hamas

(Ha'aretz) Ze'ev Schiff - Israel's Foreign Ministry said Thursday it has protested increasing EU contacts with Hamas. "We believe Europeans should be strengthening moderate Palestinians and not appeasing the extremists," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev. "Anything that demonstrates acceptance of Hamas as a legitimate player is a problem." "Hamas is a murderous terrorist movement that has been responsible for countless acts of suicide bombings throughout Israel against innocent civilians," he said. Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. government and the EU. The EU informed the U.S. of a substantial shift in its contacts with Hamas, allowing low-level European diplomats - below the rank of ambassador - to conduct talks with Hamas representatives who are running in the elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council. Israeli representatives charge that this will weaken PA Chairman Abbas and the PA itself, granting legitimacy to a terror group ahead of the elections. The EU decision does not demand any moves on the part of Hamas that could moderate the organization and get it to accept a resolution of the conflict with Israel through non-violent means. Such demands were made of the PLO when it first sought recognition and cooperation from Washington.
2005-06-17 00:00:00
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