The New York Times reports that Hamas does not intend to recognize Israel, and in fact plans to build an army.
...Khaled Meshal, also said Hamas would not "submit to pressure to recognize Israel, because the occupation is illegitimate and we will not abandon our rights," nor would it disarm, but would work to create a unified Palestinian army.
He insisted that "resistance is a legitimate right that we will practice and protect," and he defended attacks on Israeli civilians, which included many suicide bombings until a cease-fire nearly a year ago. Then he said Hamas was "ready to work with Europe and even the United States if they wish."
But, the U.S. position is clear. There will be no negotiations with Hamas until they renounce the use of violence and recognize Isael's right to exist.
A senior Israeli official said that statements by Hamas, even if forthcoming, would not be enough, and that Israel would not deal with an Authority dominated by Hamas, even if titularly led by Mr. Abbas.
More important, he said, is to try to appeal to the two-thirds or more of Palestinians who say they support a permanent settlement with Israel and to understand that many Palestinians voted for Hamas for reasons of internal reform, not to support jihad or terrorism.
Nothing will happen quickly now, the official said, but the rest of the world should help ensure that Hamas is isolated — not to try to compromise with Hamas, but to try to ensure that Palestinian support for it declines.
Does the victory by Hamas in the Palestinian Parliamentary elections mean Palestine will achieve the status of state sponsor of terror?
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