Israel refuses to deal with Hamas

Israel has stated it refuses to negotiate with a Palestinian authority that includes in its components Hamas, which it described as "an armed terrorist organization that calls for the destruction of Israel."

In statement following a ministerial meeting dedicated to discuss the great victory which was achieved by Hamas in the Palestinian legislative elections, the Israeli government called on the international community to force the Palestinian Authority to honor its obligations "by eliminating Hamas."

In this context, the Quartet committee, composed of the USA, Russia, the UN and the European Union, called on Hamas to give up violence and admit Israel's right to existence.