Monday, February 06, 2006

Newly elected Hamas still refuses to recognize Israel

In Cairo meetings of all major leaders of the terrorist organization, they said a whole lot that doesn't necessarily bode well for the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations.

Abu Marzouk [Hamas number 2] said any government set up by Hamas "will not make security arrangements with Israeli or hand over (Palestinians) who fire rockets (on Israel)." He also insisted the group would not recognize Israel.


Oh that's good, they won't hand over terrorists who kill Israelis and won't recognize Israel. This is getting off to a great start.

[...] "The most daunting task we face is to recognize the Zionist enemy and the obligations which the Authority had in the absence of similar (Israeli) obligations," he said.


Zionist enemy. Why not just kick them in the nuts while you're at it. And despite all this Israel still gives them $54 million in tax revenues, that they collect for the Palestiians.

Israel agreed Sunday to transfer $54 million (euro45 million) in desperately needed tax money to the Palestinian Authority. Israel's monthly transfer of the taxes and customs duties it collects on behalf of the Palestinians is crucial to the functioning of the Palestinian Authority.

The Israeli Cabinet decided to transfer the money because Hamas was not yet in the government, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said.


I thought that was interesting. I didn't know Israel collected taxes for the Palestinians. The PA also can't function without aid from the west either. Since the Palestinians apparently can't do anything for themselves, it looks like we control the purse strings... until Iran, or some other Arab nation picks up the tab for them.