Hamas slams Tunisia for hosting Shalom
Organization condemns Shalom's visit to Tunisia, publishes statement slamming hosting of ‘the terrorist Shalom, calls visit a ‘stab in the back of the Palestinian nation’
Foreign Minister Silvan, speaking at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunisia, said that international community must also unite in the spheres of internet and communication against global terrorism in general, and specifically against Hamas internet sites.
Everyone must participate in the war against terrorism, said the foreign minister. Shalom called on Arab countries to normalize ties with Israel, and said the process of normalization should not be linked to diplomatic process with the Palestinians.
Shalom said that Israel is positioned at the forefront of technology. He added that Israel is not a lone island, and that it is not interested in living in isolation. Israeli innovations and technological developments can aid not only the Israeli economy and society, but also the whole region, and the international community, he added.
Meanwhile, Hamas has condemned Shalom's visit to Tunisia, and published a statement slamming Tunisia's hosting of "the terrorist Shalom.”
In its statement, Hamas said it condemned Tunisia's decision to host "the foreign minister of the Zionist entity, the terrorist Silvan Shalom, who arrived with a large Zionist delegation. There is plenty of opportunity for the delegation to enter Tunisia with the excuse of taking part in the technology conference, while the Zionist entity is continuing its aggression against the Palestinian people."
Shalom with Annan and Abbas (Photo: Moshe Milner)
Hamas said that the Tunisian conference, also attended by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, was "opposed by Hamas and the Palestinian people," and described it as "a disgusting move and a stab in the back of the Palestinian people.”
'Surprised by Tunisia'
“We are surprised by the steps taken by an Arab and Muslim state, which aides the stranglehold on the Palestinian people, by extending the hand of peace to its enemy and its criminal leadership. We call on the noble Tunisian people to express its rage through all the legal means, and to express its rejection of the hosting of the criminal Shalom on the pure Tunisian soil," Hamas’ statement said.
Foreign Minister Shalom, speaking at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunisia, said that the international community must also unite in the spheres of internet and communication against global terrorism in general, and specifically against Hamas internet sites.
Everyone must participate in the war against terrorism, said the foreign minister. Shalom called on Arab countries to normalize ties with Israel, and said the process of normalization should not be linked to the diplomatic process with the Palestinians.
Shalom visits Jewish children in Tunisia (Photo: Moshe Milner)
During the conference, Shalom called on the international community to join the struggle against terrorism and its use of the internet. He said that Hamas, an organization dedicated to the destruction of the State of Israel, is one of the most active terror organizations on the internet, and it operates no less than eight sites in a number of languages. The foreign minister added that The sites are filled with anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incitement.
Turning to Abbas, Shalom said: called on him to decide on whether he was part of the enlightened world fighting extremism, or whether he is part of those who surrender to terrorism. A strategic decision on Abbas' part to combat violence will result in Israel willing to renew diplomatic dialogue and to return to the Road Map, said Shalom
Shalom added that since he entered his role as foreign minister three years ago, he took it upon myself to broaden Israel's ties with Arab and Muslim countries.
Calling on Arab states to normalize their ties with Israel, he said that only through dialogue with both sides can every country fulfill a role to bring about peace, stability and normalization.
Arab TV takes an interest in Shalom
Shalom was received with applause at the start and at the end of his speech, and Arab TV channels displayed a large amount of interest in the foreign minister.
Shalom's day was packed with diplomatic meetings; he met with PA Chairman Abbas, Mauritanian President Colonel Ali Olad Muhammad, and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Mauritania's president said his country was committed to its ties with Israel.
Later in the day, Israeli and Palestinian officials discussed ways to improve cooperation in the communications sphere.
