US won't support Hamas: Bush

Herald Sun ^ | 22 February 2006

[Aussie Dasher]

US PRESIDENT George W. Bush has refsued to comment on Israel's controversial move to withhold customs and tax monies collected on behalf of the Palestinians before Hamas takes power.

But Mr Bush reiterated his demand for the radical group, which won a shock landslide victory in recent Palestinian legislative elections, to renounce calls for Israel's destruction and abandon violence.

"So long as Hamas does not recognize Israel's right to exist, my view is we don't have a partner in peace, and therefore shouldn't fund a government that is not a partner in peace," he said.

Mr Bush, who pushed hard for the Palestinian elections to take place, said the political contest had provided "a true look" at what he Palestinians wanted -- but that the United States did not have to agree.

"Because the Palestinians spoke, doesn't necessarily mean we have to agree with the nature of the party elected," he said.

The weekend announcement by Israel that it would hold back 50 million dollars a month in funds from the Palestinians even before a Hamas government took office drew fire elsewhere.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit condemned the move at a Cairo news conference with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He urged giving Hamas time to change its ways after winning legislative elections last month.

[Aussie Dasher]

No funding of terrorism - ever!

[ARCADIA]

We could send then a few tens of thousands of "guest worker visas".

[McGavin999]

Israel should just not collect the taxes for them. Tell whoever is shipping that it's now tax free.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Let their muslim brothers pay for the hamas government.

[SevenofNine]

Hey AD what about your country any word on Austrila funding of PLO govt with HAMAS

Rack Dubya

[Walkingfeather]

" He urged giving Hamas time to change its ways after winning legislative elections last month."

Change to what specifically? Killing jews by the 1000's instead of hundreds? No thanks pal. You have made this bed and baby we are going to make you lie in it.

[Aussie Dasher]

Give it a rest! Are you on the grog?

[nickcarraway]

This is wrong. We should hire Hamas to provide services at our airports. That would show them we trust them.

[easonc52]

Let their muslim brothers pay for the hamas government.

Let muslim brothers who pay for hamas feel the wrath of sanctions.

[Billthedrill]

I claimed on their accession to office that it was a good thing; that it allowed Hamas the chance to show their true colors and was, in practice, giving them enough rope to hang themselves. I didn't really think it would be quite this quick, though.

They haven't really the wherewithal to start a winning fight and they do now have the responsibility to run the country better than their predecessors. That shouldn't be difficult, but it looks like it's going to be impossible.

[ozoneliar]

We should hire Hamas to provide services at our airports. That would show them we trust them.

An excellent idea. The TSA has been renamed to Terrorist Sheiks Ayatollahs.

[SevenofNine]

OH NO AD what I asking is your country Austrila do they support Hamas or any govt offices connect to it


OHHH NO I not asking that LOL!

[lizma]

I don't know if I misheard but I thought heard on the radio that Israel has been paying the palis 5 mil/month. A giant welfare state is always going to be miserable, mad and mean. That's a no brainer.

It's crazy to continue funding the planet's crazies.

[trubluolyguy]

"So long as Hamas does not recognize Israel's right to exist, my view is we don't have a partner in peace, and therefore shouldn't fund a government that is not a partner in peace," he said.

---

But....but I thought it was a religion of peace, El Presidente?

Jorge?

Nada.

[TheCrusader]

""So long as Hamas does not recognize Israel's right to exist, my view is we don't have a partner in peace, and therefore shouldn't fund a government that is not a partner in peace," he said. Mr Bush, who pushed hard..."

Interesting statement here by the President. The UAE refuses to form diplomatic ties with Israel and does not recognize their statehood. The Government of the UAE refuses entry and transit to Israeli passport holders. Persons with Israeli stamps or signs of visiting Israel will also be denied entry. The UAE government run media refer to Israel as the "Zionist entity" because they do not recognize them as a legitimate State.

So the question for President Bush is this, if he won't do business with Hamas because of their hostile position with Isreal, why is he allowing the UAE to purchase the contract to operate our eastern ports? Isn't that the epitomy of hypocracy?

[Wisc Paul]

Well thank you President Bush for that...and while your at it, how about commenting that these are the people who were dancing in the streets on 9-11...how about we have some more democratic elections that these savages can vote in? I'm sure Carter, who gave away Iran in a similar manner to the mullahs, would approve.

Let's let the military fight the war on terror to win and anihilate terrorists and countries that sponsor them in short order with all superior weaponry at our disposal (that my tax dollars pay for, and we're not using), and then bring home our soldiers who are supposed to be wariors, not politicians, policemen, or red cross workers; and then relocate them to our borders in 'training' mode behind a lethal wall.