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Hamas Rejects Calls to Recognize Israel as it Takes Over Palestinian
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Parliament
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1103BEC:3919ACA Hamas officials say
talks with Israel are not on their agenda as long as "Israeli
occupation and aggression" continues





Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' apparent choice for prime minister, center,
smiles during parliament session, Saturday

Hamas has rejected calls to recognize Israel, as the Islamic militant
group took over Saturday as the dominant party in the new Palestinian
parliament.

Top Hamas officials said talks with Israel are not on their agenda as
long as what they call Israeli occupation and aggression continues.

But in speaking to the opening session of parliament Saturday in the
West Bank town of Ramallah, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said the group
will try to work out a compromise with Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas.

Mr. Abbas had earlier urged Hamas to respect peace deals made with
Israel.

Hamas' surprise victory in last month's parliamentary elections ousted
Mr. Abbas' Fatah party, and gave the militant group control of 74
seats in the 132 member legislature.

The United States and Israel consider Hamas a terrorist organization
and say they will not support the Palestinian government until the
militant group acknowledges Israel's right to exist.

Israel said it was preventing Hamas legislators in the Gaza Strip from
traveling to the swearing-in ceremonies in the West Bank city of
Ramallah, forcing Gaza-based lawmakers to witness the ceremonies on a
video network.

The Israeli cabinet is expected to decide on Sunday whether to
implement new restrictions on the Palestinians, including curtailing
Palestinian workers from entering Israel.

Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said no American
aid will go to a Hamas-led Palestinian government. But she said the
United States will continue to contribute to humanitarian programs
through the United Nations, including funding for medical inoculations
for Palestinian children.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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