Russia-Hamas talks anger Israel

[Algorem]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4701312.stm
Israel has criticised Russia's decision to invite Hamas leaders to Moscow for talks, following the militant group's victory in Palestinian elections.

Israeli cabinet minister Meir Shitrit accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of "stabbing Israel in the back".

He said the move gave legitimacy to Hamas - considered to be a terrorist group by Israel and Western countries.

Russian officials said Mr Putin wanted to engage Hamas to persuade the group to give up its radical policies...

[Purveyor]

1. IMO Russia is being the "responsible party" here... n/t

[tatertop]

2. I agree with you.

Israel should ATTEND this meeting, not
condemn it.

[Lance_Boyle]

5. A-freakin'-men! n/t

[leveymg]

3. The Minister should avoid the "stab in the back" metaphor.

Considering who rode that phrase to power seventy-three years ago in Germany.

[MrPrax]

4. Wheels falling on that cart...

Poor widdle Israel

...jeez maybe they should punch the tune called 'Rising Anti-Semitism' by The Russians on the Mighty Wurlizter again.

We'll see how long the Quartet will goosestep to Israel's tune--since Israel is entirely unreasonable in it's objections and since the Palestinians have done exactly what was asked of them...wonder if the 'they be terrahist' schitck will last.

I hope they cross the Rubicon soon...

[0007]

6. The hell is wrong with Israel? It appears that Israel should

be paying attention.

[tatertop]

7. Israel should take the lead with a bold move toward peace

Sadly likud/Israel wants peace with Palestine about as much as Bush wants peace with Iran.

[0007]

10. I think they may be something to what you're saying.

[tatertop]

13. If only they could drag Israel to the peace table

Hamas seems open to discussion, will Israel stonewall forever?
When will Israel be ready to start making REAL concessions
in the fight for peace.

[Algorem]

8. France says backs Russia invitation of Hamas

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/681159.html

France says backs Russia invitation of Hamas

Dealing a new blow to Israel's effort to internationally isolate Hamas, France expressed support Friday for a Russian effort to reach out to the radical Islamic movement, but reiterated that the it must renounce violence and recognize Israel.

French Foreign Ministry spokesman Denis Simonneau said Russia did not consult its international partners about its initiative. But "we believe that it is an initiative that can contribute to advancing our positions," he added.

"We share with Russia the goal of leading Hamas toward positions that would allow for the goal of two states living in peace and security to be reached," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday invited leaders of Hamas, the militant group responsible for dozens of suicide bombings in Israel, to visit Moscow. A Hamas leader quickly accepted the invitation...

[fujiyama]

9. I don't know whyy

they believe completely isolating them politically would help.

Unless the Russians arer there too sell Hamas weapons, I don't see any reason for concern.

[tatertop]

11. This is getting interesting. Will Israel come to the table?

[High Plains]

12. Israel must renounce violence and admit the existence of

Palestine.

[tatertop]

14. That would be a grand overture indeed!

[Scurrilous]

15. Yep...

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/under-the-gun-in-gaza/2006/02/03/1138958906888.html

<snip>

"Israeli ministers and officials, led by the acting Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, made it clear Israel will never deal with a Hamas-led Palestinian Authority unless it renounces violence, recognises the right of Israel to exist and honours all previous agreements with Israel made by the discredited Fatah party.

It would be difficult to argue with such a statement of principle in the face of unrepentant terrorism, and nobody did so when the so-called quartet of would-be Middle East peacemakers - the US, EU, UN and Russia - met in London this week.

Palestinians have a very different view of things. Why, they ask, is Hamas being told it must agree up front to honour Fatah's agreements - the failed 1993 Oslo Accords, the abject 2003 "road map for peace" - when Israel has been able to ignore many of its own obligations, notably on the freezing of its ever-growing settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the easing of its onerous military restrictions on everyday Palestinian life and - only this week - the payment of money which it owes the Palestinian Authority under formal Oslo commitments?

Why should Hamas formally recognise the legitimacy of a Jewish state in Israel when successive Israeli governments have taken practical steps to block the creation of a genuine Palestinian state "until the Palestinians turn into Finns", as a senior government adviser famously admitted?

And why, they ask, is the world calling on Hamas to renounce violence when it has been on a ceasefire for a year now?"

[donkeyotay]

16. It's the ultimate in preemption

We can't talk to you until you agree with us. Bush is working on the Americanized version.

[MisterP]

18. "Cake first, ingredients later!"

[HuffleClaw]

17. waaaaaaaaaah ! ! ! !

welll, gee, they are the legitimate government, SOMEONE should be talking to 'em. good lord.

[Moderator]

19. Kick

[VegasWolf]

20. Ahh! So saad! Maybe there might not be a Rupture after all. nt