By Stan Goodenough
Jun 05, 2008
United States presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Hussein Obama and Obama's contender for the Democratic nomination, Hillary Clinton this week all emphatically declared that as far as they are concerned, Washington should have nothing to do with the "Palestinian" group Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip.
Also Thursday Hamas used mortars to murder an Israeli kibbutz member in an attack specifically meant to kill civilians.
Despite this, "moderate" PLO chief terrorist and Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas - Israel's "peace partner" wants to make peace with the organization.
According to a report in The Jerusalem Post, Abbas on Thursday formed a committee of senior Palestinian officials to prepare for "national dialogue" with Hamas.
Abbas does reportedly hope to meet with Damascus-shielded Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in the coming days.
"In another sign that the two parties are headed toward reconciliation, Hamas and Fatah representatives are expected to hold talks in Dakkar this weekend under the auspices of the Senegalese government," said the Post.
Concerning Hamas, this is what AIPAC heard from the mouths of the aspirant American leaders.
McCain: The Palestinian Arabs "are badly served by the terrorist led group in charge of Gaza; this is a group that still refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist, refuses to denounce violence, and refuses to acknowledge prior peace commitments. They deliberately target Israeli civilians in an attempt to terrorize the Jewish population. They spread violence and hatred and with every new bombing they setback the cause of their own people. ... The peace process that places face in terrorists can never end in peace and we do no favors to the Palestinian people by conferring approval upon the terrorist syndicate that has seized power in Gaza."
Obama: "We must isolate Hamas unless and until they renounce terrorism, recognize Israel’s right to exist, and abide by past agreements. There is no room at the negotiating table for terrorist organizations."
Clinton: I am deeply concerned about the growing threat in Gaza. Hamas has built a military force equipped with sophisticated weapons from Iran. Hamas' campaign of terror has claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent Israelis. Its charter calls for the destruction of Israel. It has shown no commitment to peace or to renouncing violence. So we must be clear about how we feel about our next president negotiating directly with Hamas. Here's how I feel. Until Hamas renounces terrorism and recognizes Israel, negotiating with Hamas is unacceptable for the United States.
Back home, Gaza-based Hamas leaders applauded Abbas' reaching out to them, saying he was welcome to visit the Strip sooner rather than later.