Hamas warns Abbas not to make decisions behind its back

[Behind the Aegis]

Last update - 21:57 08/02/2006
By The Associated Press

Hamas' exiled political bureau chief warned Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday not to make changes in the Palestinian government without first consulting representatives of the Islamic movement - the first clear sign Hamas plans to play hardball as both sides begin to jockey over the next Palestinian government.

Khaled Meshal also declared that Hamas would not bow to Arab and international pressure to recognize Israel and that the group - once in power - act to prevent militant attacks on the Jewish state.

The tough stance came after a three-day visit by Hamas' leadership for talks with Egyptian officials, the militant Palestinian movement's first diplomatic foray seeking Arab support since their surprise victory in elections last month.

Ahead of the talks, Egyptian officials had said they would urge Hamas to recognize Israel and renounce violence in a bid to avert a collapse of the peace process and build a coalition government with Abbas' more moderate Fatah party.

more...

[Andromeda]

1. It's not too hard to see where this is going.

The Palestinian people shot themselves in the foot this time. They had an opportunity to change their lives for the better but they blew it---just like the Americans who voted for Bush did in the last two elections.

I'll never understand why people vote against their best interests.