By Ryan Jones
Apr 20, 2006
Cracks already present in the global anti-Hamas front threatened to become gaping crevices Thursday when British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw declared his government's deep desire for official relations with the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority, and indicated London would be prepared to accept only token compliance by the terror group with international demands.
In remarks made Thursday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, London's Telegraph quoted Straw as saying:
"Hamas now leads the government and we would like to have normal relations with them as we have had with previous governments."
While Straw reiterated demands that Hamas first renounce terrorism, recognize Israel and comply with previously signed peace agreements, he also suggested Hamas' electoral victory required a policy shift by the international community in regards to its negative view of the terror group.
He also significantly softened what compliance with those demands would entail for Hamas.
Recognition of Israel does "not mean a formal declaration by Hamas, but just a practical acceptance of the 'reality' of the Jewish state."
The Telegraph also noted that Straw "is said to believe that re-writing the Hamas charter, which calls for the destruction of Israel, is not a precondition for dialog."
The remarks by Britain's top diplomat come just days after the Hamas government gave its stamp of approval to the slaughter of nine Israelis by a "Palestinian" homicide bomber in Tel Aviv.