Peters says Palestinians' choice must be respected

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters today said Hamas should use its new-found power to achieve peace.

The militant Islamic group Hamas defeated the ruling Fatah party in Palestine's parliamentary election yesterday.

Hamas, which is calling for the destruction of Israel, won an overwhelming majority in the 132-seat legislature, taking 76 seats to Fatah's 43.

Mr Peters said the election had to be respected as it reflected the will of the Palestinian people.

"Hamas now has an historic opportunity and responsibility to change direction and embrace the peace process," Mr Peters said.

"Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei's government has resigned and Hamas is in a position to form a new government. Hamas now has the responsibility to represent all Palestinians and embody their need and desire for peace and stability."

Mr Peters said Hamas would not be able to build a successful Palestinian state unless it ended the violence of its armed militias and recognised Israel's right to exist in peace.

"New Zealand calls on Hamas to do just that," he said.

"There are plenty of signs that Hamas is changing just as the desperate need of the Palestinians for peace and statehood is undeniable.

"We hope that a way will be found to take forward the peace process with the representatives of the Palestinian people and we express New Zealand's support to the quartet (of major-power mediators) in its efforts."

The quartet comprises the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations.

New Zealand Jewish Council president Stephen Goodman said he was disappointed the Palestinians had elected a terrorist organisation to represent them.

"We are all sitting here with our hearts in our mouths in the hope that something is going to change," Mr Goodman told NZPA.

"I am deeply concerned [the election result] will affect any prospect of peace in the Middle East."

The election of Hamas was a tremendous obstacle to any negotiated settlement, he said.

"How do you start negotiating with somebody who says Israel has to be destroyed? Where do you start? There is no common ground."

Mr Goodman said it wasn't just the Israeli government that was concerned.

"The US and Europe have recognised Hamas as a terrorist group and it's impossible for a government to negotiate with an organisation which is dedicated to destroying the state of Israel."

Mr Goodman said he was disappointed rather than surprised at the result.

"It's a threat not just to Israel and its peace, but it becomes a threat to world peace."

Staying optimistic was difficult, he said.

"With the previous Palestinian administration we could see that things were moving in the direction of peaceful settlement... but now it doesn't look nearly as hopeful. "As Jewish people we are even more aware if somebody has a policy of extermination there is no room for negotiation."

- NZPA