Hamas Official Talks to British ParliamentHamas' politburo chief Khaled Mashaal addressed the British parliament, causing controversy for the talk's sponsor. Also, the MPs reportedly had trouble hearing him due to technical problems. The video link will be attempted again, according to JTA.
More important, this possibly signals a new willingness by western states to engage with the organization, despite the British government's distancing from this invitation from some parliamentarians.
The BBC reported:
Hamas has had more international visitors since US President Barack Obama came to power, and they seem to be getting bolder, says Ahmad Youssef, an advisor close to the Islamist movement's political leaders in Gaza.Mashaal told the British lawmakers via satellite, "Resistance is means to an end and not the objective itself." He said, "if we find another way to end the occupation – we will use it." Ignoring the Palestinian problem, according to the Hamas leader, would lead to "an explosion in the region."
The Israeli ambassador objected to the parliament, calling it a "slap in the face" to moderate Palestinian leaders who sought a peaceful solution with Israel.
While it is implicit that western states have the green light to open relations with Hamas, American lawmakers quizzed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about the Obama administration's position. During questioning over a requested $1 billion aid package to the PA, she asserted the conditions for American relations with a Palestinian Authority that includes Hamas:
The President’s policy…is very clear, we will not deal with, nor in any way fund, a Palestinian government that includes Hamas unless and until Hamas has renounced violence, recognized Israel and agreed to follow the previous obligations of the Palestinian authority. That is our policy, but we want to leave open the door so that can happen.Hamas rebuffed these conditions.
HEADLINES
Lieberman: U.S. to accept any Israeli policy decision (Ha'aretz)
Are the Palestinians getting a hearing at the UN racism conference? (Reuters)
Israel defies US and destroys Palestinian home
(The Independent UK)
Palestine and Palestinians
Chinese FM meets Palestinian president (eTaiwan News)
Israeli forces claim northern Bethlehem refugee camp as “Area C” therefore requiring permit to build (Palestine News Network)
Israel Frees Palstinian MP Held 17 Months -Associates (NASDAQ)
Palestinian worshippers gift Pope Benedict with kaffiyeh (Ha'aretz)
Signs of Worsening Malnutrition Among Palestinian Children (Political Affairs Magazine)
FACTBOX-Timeline for Palestinian economy (Reuters)
5 cops wounded in Kafr Kassem rioting (Jerusalem Post)
Palestinian citizens of Israel riot as military invades village with demolition orders (Ma'an News Agency)
Israel
The Times vindicated over Israel's use of white phosphorus in Gaza (The Guardian UK)
Israel defends army's Gaza conduct (Al Jazeera English)
Israeli rights groups reject IDF probe (Jerusalem Post)
The Cable: Historian Michael Oren considered for Israel's ambassador to Washington, reports say (Foreign Policy)
Oren says he hasn't been offered ambassadorship (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
U.S. Foreign Policy
Clinton On Working With Hamas (Talk Radio News Service)
Obama calls for 'good faith' measures in Middle East (Taipei Times)
Obama invites Israeli, Egyptian and Palestinian leaders for talks (Los Angeles Times)
Palestinian President to Meet Obama in May (Voice of America)
The Neighbors
Egypt minister urges Muslims to visit Jerusalem (AFP)
Celebrating Jerusalem in Yemen (Yemen Times)
Saudi prince: No Sadat-style visit expected from King Abdullah (Jerusalem Post)
Netanyahu invited to visit Egypt (BBC News)
Lieberman reconciles with Egypt envoy (Jerusalem Post)
International Relations/Law
Iran says West tries to muzzle criticism of Israel (The Associated Press)
War crimes charges against Israel sought (United Press International)
Mubarak warns Iran of Cairo's 'fury' (Jerusalem Post)
China vows strong support for Mideast peace process (AFP)
Iranian parliament fully supports Palestine cause (Tehran Times)
Official: Iran a priority but not a condition for talks with Palestinians (Ynetnews)
Israel wants progress on Iran before peace talks (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
'China has large role in stopping Iran' (Jerusalem Post)
Arts and Activism
Palestinian Artists Resort to Art to Show Gaza Suffering (Salem-News.Com)
Group raises Israel, Palestine awareness (The Spectator - Univ. of Wisconsin)
Activists learn to dissect pro-Palestinian messages (New Jersey Jewish News)
Faculty to convene on Palestinian academic freedom (CU Columbia Spectator)
Misc.
Pelosi Acknowledges Knowing of Harman Wiretap (Washington Post)
Jane Harman's Wiretapped Conversations (Washington Post)
Commentary
Seumas Milne: What credibility is there in Geneva's all-white boycott? (guardian.co.uk)
George Hishmeh: The travails of Israeli occupation in Gaza (Gulf News)
The Cable: Six links, and a couple thoughts on the Harman case (Foreign Policy)
Arjan El Fassed: The writing on the wall spells "freedom" (Electronic Intifada)
Must we Jews always see ourselves as victims? (Muzzlewatch)
Hassan Nafaa: Caught in the middle (Al Ahram)
Letter: Don't use American money to fund Israeli repression (The Brown Daily Herald)
Israeli military investigation not credible (Human Rights Watch)
Arnaud de Borchgrave: Mideast: Obama vs. Osama (Middle East Times)
Amos Harel: IDF's idea of 'proportionate' is a matter of interpretation (Haaretz)
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