Syria today : "European delegations urge international recognition of Hamas"

April 2009

European delegations urge international recognition of Hamas

A series of European Union (EU) delegations met with Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal in Damascus last month, urging their governments’ to recognise the Islamic movement and support efforts to form a Palestinian national unity government.

A British-led parliamentary delegation met with Meshaal and other top Hamas leaders in Damascus on March 15. Headed by British Member of Parliament for the ruling Labour Party Clare Short, the delegation included representatives from the British, Irish and Scottish parliaments.

In a press conference following the meeting, Short told reporters the delegation hopes the British government will undertake face-to-face talks with Hamas “in the interest of peace”.

The United States and the EU boycott Hamas, demanding the group renounce violence, agree to all peace agreements signed by Palestinian negotiators and officially recognise Israel.

“We believe that we should start talking with Hamas and the more the delay, the more the suffering,” Irish EU parliamentarian Chris Andrew said.

The British-led delegation was followed by a joint Italian-Greek initiative, made up of 11 parliamentarians and activists, which met with Hamas in Damascus on March 18. The delegation discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian reconciliation talks that took place in Cairo last month.

“We are here to deliver a message to our countries that Palestinian people have the full right to decide their future,” Greek Member of Parliament Anastasios Kourakis said at a press conference following the meeting.

Former Italian Senator Fernando Rossi said the international community should fully support Palestinian reconciliation efforts.

“We condemn the EU procedures against Hamas,” Rossi said. “We know they are allied to Israel and the US.”

Hamas political office representative Sami al-Khater said the delegation’s visit was a “brave step” that “will pave the way towards more opening, not only at the parliamentarian level, but also at the official level”.

Khater underlined Hamas’ commitment to the Palestinian national dialogue and reaching an accord among all Palestinian factions. However, he said that “reconciliation should be based on Palestinian demands only, rather than on demands from abroad”.

Egyptian-mediated talks between rival Palestinian factions broke down on March 19, without a deal on a national unity government which would have set the stage for elections by January 2010. The key sticking point has been to what extent Hamas will abide by past accords signed with Israel. Negotiators for Fatah, which rules the West Bank, said the new government must commit to all agreements signed between Israel and the PLO, including the 1993 Oslo Accords, which include the recognition of Israel. Hamas has said it will “respect” PLO commitments.