Merkel Warns Palestinians Over Hamas | Germany | Deutsche Welle | 30.01.2006

Merkel Warns Palestinians Over Hamas Germany Deutsche Welle 30.01.2006

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday warned that Berlin would cut funding to a Hamas-led Palestinian Authority unless the radical Islamist group renounced violence.

"Germany will not support a Palestinian Authority that does not recognize Israel," Merkel said at a joint news conference with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who joined Hamas in urging the international community not to cut valuable funding.

The first foreign leader to meet the beleaguered Palestinian leader since Hamas' stunning election victory last week, Merkel demanded from the faction to renounce violence and recognize Israel's right to exist.

"We expect all political forces that assume responsibilities to firstly recognize Israel's right to exist, secondly not resort to violence and thirdly to accept steps already committed to in the peace process and to continue this process," she said. "Of course, that also applies to those who won most seats in parliament, in other words Hamas. I clearly said that we need clarity very quickly because the peace process must go on.

"We expect all political forces that assume responsibilities to firstly recognize Israel's right to exist, secondly not resort to violence and thirdly to accept steps already committed to in the peace process and to continue this process," she said. "Of course, that also applies to those who won most seats in parliament, in other words Hamas. I clearly said that we need clarity very quickly because the peace process must go on."

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Hamas must change if it wants German support, Merkel said
Just hours after a similar appeal from Hamas leader Ismail Haniya, Abbas urged the international community to maintain its financial aid to the Palestinians and reiterated his commitment to pursuing peace talks with Israel.

"Our talks focused on the need to continue this aid so that our people can stand on their own feet," Abbas said. "We reiterated our commitment to reach peace by returning to the negotiating table."

Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Merkel planting a tree in Jerusalem on Monday

Sehr gute Politik, Chancellor Merkel. Sie ist hat, was es nimmt, um zu sein ein starker, wirkungsvoller Führer. -kmw