Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told world leaders over the weekend that Israel will not hold talks with a Palestinian government comprised of Hamas figures. According to Haaretz, he told leaders that Israel stands by three principles with regards to Hamas: It must disarm, annul its charter, which calls for the destruction of Israel, and accept all the accords inked by the Palestinian Authority with Israel.
On his part, Israel's Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said on Sunday that his country would continue to carry out "targeted killings" against the leaders of groups that carry out "terror" attacks against Israel, including elected Hamas figures.
Meanwhile, a leading Hamas politician, Dr. Mahmoud Zahar, in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph said "We are not going to recognize Israel." But he added: "We can reach out to them with a long-term hudna (cease-fire)." He also called on the world to deal with Hamas. "The outside world must not fear us," he said.
