“We-Win!-Free-Elections-In-the-Middle-East” Update. Pressure will be growing steadily for the U.S. and Israel to change this stance and deal with Hamas. After all, Chamberlain went to Munich; why can’t Israel parley with Hamas? From AP:
WASHINGTON – President Bush said Thursday that Hamas cannot be a partner for Middle East peacemaking without renouncing violence, and he reiterated that the United States will not deal with Palestinian leaders who do not recognize Israel’s right to exist.
Bush urged Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to remain in office after Wednesday’s stunning Hamas victory over Abbas’ Fatah faction in Palestinian elections.
“If your platform is the destruction of Israel, it means you’re not a partner in peace, and we’re interested in peace,” Bush told reporters at a news conference.