Arab League calls EU not to isolate Hamas

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa called on the European Union Wednesday not to politically isolate the incoming Hamas-led Palestinian government, but to try to convince it to seek peace with Israel.

Photo: Arab League calls EU not to isolate Hamas

"If we attack Hamas saying they are terrorists, this will lead us to a barrier," Moussa told the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee.

Moussa told lawmakers that the EU had to put aside animosities over the militant group's record and respect the fact that its political wing won elections in a democratic vote.

"Now Hamas is a respected party that won the election and is ready to set up a government," he said. "Do you want to isolate Hamas or do you want to lure Hamas into your ranks as it were? Do you want to push Hamas or the new government to rigid positions or do you want an evolving position and stance?"

He said that if the new Palestinian government choses peace, then the EU, the Arab league and others "should make every effort to help this government," reports the AP.

I.L.