Katsav: Talks with Hamas possible

President Moshe Katsav says negotiations with PA on peace settlement can materialize if Hamas renounces terror, recognizes Israel. Meanwhile rightist MK calls on government to eliminate Hamas' leadership

Ynet
Published: 01.26.06, 19:22 / Israel News

President Moshe Katsav said Thursday that if Hamas aims for peace, renounces terror and recognizes Israel's right to exist, Israel and the Palestinians would be able to move toward a settlement.

Perspectives

Arab MK: Only Hamas can make peace / Ilan Marciano

Arab MK says just as Sharon was only one capable of making peace with Palestinians, Hamas only group able to make peace with Israel. Organization is Israel's partner for peace, he states. Meanwhile Labor Chairman Peretz claims Israel will not negotiate with Hamas

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However, Katsav stated Hamas is a dangerous element, "which has continued to preach for terror until the very last days." The president added he disagrees with the praises heaped on the Palestinian democracy following the elections, and stressed it was unjustified for armed groups to take part in the vote.

Former Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who met with King Abdullah in Jordan Thursday, has also referred to the vote's outcome, saying that a new situation has formed in the region.

"Hamas needs to decide whether to continue being a terror movement. If it does, it will isolate the Palestinians from the international community and bring to a halt international aid," Peres said.

"Hamas can relinquish terror and lead the Palestinians in the route of compromise," he added.

'Assassinate Hamas leadership'

Meanwhile, Knesset Member Effie Eitam (National Union) has called on Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to turn Hamas' list for parliament into the assassination list of the Shin Bet and the IDF.

"Only the elimination of the elected terror leadership now can generate a peace-seeking leadership in the future," he said.

Labor Chairman Amir Peretz also commented on the elections' results, saying Israel needs to wait and see how things progress in the PA.

"If we must, we shall take unilateral steps and won’t accept diplomatic stagnation. There are issues that depend only on us, and the Palestinians will not turn us into hostages," Peretz said.

Shani Mizrahi, Ilan Marciano and Ronny Sofer contributed to the report

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