Israel Matzav

Hamas to Obama: 'Love us just the way we are'

Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshaal plans to join the politicial speech party with one of his own next week, according to a report in the London-based pan-Arabic daily al-Sharq al-Awswat. Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk gave some indication of what Meshaal might say.

Exiled Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk urged Obama on Monday to talk directly with his organization, saying it was the representative of the Palestinian people and the American president's drive for Mideast peace is impossible without them.

Marzouk, also told The Associated Press that the group would not renounce violence — a key US demand before Washington will agree to deal with the group that it considers a terrorist organization. The US and its European allies also want Hamas to recognize Israel, another step the group has refused to take.

The Obama administration should change that position, Abu Marzouk said, "because they know that without Hamas their efforts will not succeed."

Abu Marzouk dismissed Obama's call on the Palestinians to abandon violence, saying that "the real violence in the region is (the Israeli) occupation. It's also unacceptable that Obama talked about violence and didn't talk about occupation."

He praised Obama's firm stand against Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank, which the Palestinians want for a future state along with Gaza and east Jerusalem. Israel captured those areas in the 1967 war.

The Hamas leader said the Obama administration must talk to the group.

"Dealing with Hamas is vital because he (Obama) cannot deal with people who don't represent the Palestinian people," Abu Marzouk said, in a reference to Abbas' Fatah movement.

So how did you enjoy the play, Mrs. Lincoln?

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:51 AM