Expatica's German news in English: Merkel puts pressure on Hamas during visit

Expatica's German news in English: Merkel puts pressure on Hamas during visit:

GAZA/RAMALLAH - Under pressure for its hardline stance toward Israel, the Islamic Hamas movement, victor in last week's Palestinian elections, pleaded Monday for Western states to open a dialogue with it and transfer funds to the cash-starved Palestinian Authority.

Hamas won an emphatic victory in Wednesday's parliamentary election in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but the United States and other Western countries have said they will not deal with the organization until it lays down its arms - the movement has carried out hundreds of attacks against Israel - and changes its charter to recognise the Jewish state.

Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized these points during a news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Monday afternoon, and added that Hamas also had to accept all agreements signed by the Palestinian Authority.

"It is unimaginable that Germany could recognise an administration which does not recognise Israel," she said.

But Hamas leader Isma'eel Haneya told a news conference in Gaza City that his movement had sent a letter to the so-called Quartet of the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union asking for direct talks to be held without preconditions, and pledged that any financial aid received would not go to Palestinian militants.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel goes right to the core of the issue and has class. Thats very admirable.