Hamas leader lists terms for recognizing Israel

[Charlie Brown]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N25273343.htm

JERUSALEM, Feb 25 (Reuters) - The Palestinian prime minister-designate said Hamas is "ready to recognize" Israel if it gives the Palestinian people their full rights and a state in lands occupied since 1967, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Hamas chose Ismail Haniyeh, a 43-year-old Gazan viewed by many Palestinians as a pragmatist, as the new prime minister after sweeping the elections on Jan. 25. The group hopes to complete forming a Palestinian government within two weeks.

"If Israel declares that it will give the Palestinian people a state and give them back all their rights, then we are ready to recognize them," Haniyeh told The Washington Post in an interview posted on its Web site on Saturday.

[tatertop]

1. The negotiating must start somewhere

UN observers welcome!

[Mythsaje]

2. That's actually a positive sign...

but will Israel ante up?

[Wordie]

3. It surely is a good sign, and they sure aren't wasting any time, are they?

[Mythsaje]

4. Question remains

whether the U.S. will back the effort and whether Israel will sit down at the table with them.