Free Republic

An interview with Hamas's new prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh: "Do you accept the Oslo agreement signed by Yasser Arafat? Israel has stopped completely committing itself to Oslo. ... So you will not abide by past agreements made by the Palestinians and Israel? I have not said that. I have said that Israel . . . But you are not the prime minister of Israel. Will you abide by past agreements made by the Palestinian governments and Israel? We will review all agreements and abide by those that are in the interest of the Palestinian people. What agreements will you honor?...

Sunday, February 19, 2006The Correct Response To Hamas One of CNN's world news headlines today reads: Israel PM rules out Hamas contacts. The implication is that this sort of Israeli action is a bad thing, a deterrent to some sort of illusive peace. Quite the contrary. Prime Minister Olmert correctly states: ...the Palestinian Authority is, in effect, becoming a terrorist authority. Israel will not agree to that. Israel will not compromise with terror and will continue to fight it with all its might. However, we have no intention of harming the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian population. Israel will not...

Gaza Strip -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appointed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as the next prime minister, the Palestinian news agency said Tuesday. The news agency released a picture of Abbas handing Haniyeh the official letter of appointment at the beginning of their meeting earlier in the day. Haniyeh, who will be the first Hamas premier, has five weeks to form a government. "Palestinian" Arab leader Mahmud Abbas (R) hands over an official nomination document to Islamic terrorist Hamas' Ismail Haniya, the new Prime Minister, for the formation of his new government in Gaza City. Abbas formally tasked Haniya with...