Israel cautiously optimistic on recognition by Hamas

JERUSALEM - Israel yesterday cautiously welcomed a statement by the Palestinian prime minister-designate that Hamas was ready to recognise it if Palestinians were given full rights and a state in occupied lands.

Hamas chose Ismail Haniyeh, a 43-year-old Gazan viewed by many Palestinians as a pragmatist, as the new prime minister after its election victory on January 25. The group hopes to complete forming a Palestinian government within two weeks.

"If Israel declares that it will give the Palestinian people a state and give them back all their rights, then we are ready to recognise them," Haniyeh told the Washington Post in an interview posted on its website.

Haniyeh said Hamas, whose charter calls to destroy Israel, was ready to consider talks if the Jewish state withdrew from the West Bank and East Jerusalem and recognised the "right of return" for Palestinian refugees who fled, or were forced to leave, in the 1948 war and their descendants.

In response, Israeli Cabinet minister Meir Sheetrit told Israel's Army Radio: "I wish they would change their positions ... They [Hamas] may be starting to speak another language."

If Hamas were to accept Israel's conditions to recognise Israel and renounce violence, "we won't have any trouble speaking to Hamas, and to reach a settlement", Sheetrit said.

Hamas has rejected talks with the Jewish state but has signalled a readiness to accept interim peace deals with Israel, after US-led threats to withhold critical funding to the Palestinians unless Hamas changes its stance.

"Let Israel say it will recognise a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, release the prisoners and recognise the rights of the refugees to return to Israel. Hamas will have a position if this occurs," Haniyeh said.

Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in September after a 38-year occupation but has vowed to hold on to East Jerusalem and major West Bank settlements.

- NZPA