Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
May 5, 2007

Hamas Rejects American Proposal for Easing Israeli-Palestinian
--------------------------------------------------------------
Tensions
--------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=175997F:A6F02AD83191E160834E2EBBCF959AEB9574F7DCC14957C0 Hamas leader
Khaled Meshaal says Hamas would never give up armed resistance in
exchange for Israel easing roadblocks Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal
blasted a U.S. proposal calling on Israel and the Palestinians to take
concrete steps toward easing tension and building confidence. Under a
four-month timetable, Israel would ease roadblocks and travel
restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Palestinians would
halt rocket attacks on Israel and curb weapons smuggling from Egypt
into Gaza.







Khaled Mashaal (file photo)

Speaking at a rally in Damascus, Meshaal called the American plan a
farce.

He called on all Palestinians groups to prepare for battle against
Israel, saying Hamas would never give up armed resistance in exchange
for Israel easing roadblocks.

Hamas is the senior partner in a Palestinian unity government with the
more moderate Fatah party, which has expressed support for the
American plan.  But Hamas has refused to recognize Israel or renounce
violence, and Israeli spokesman Mark Regev says Meshaal's comments are
therefore no surprise.

"Unfortunately, Hamas with its extremist, hateful positions, with its
Jihadist, radical theology is just not ready for peace," he said.

Israel plans to discuss the U.S. proposal at its weekly Cabinet
meeting on Sunday. Israeli officials say the plan is problematic,
because easing travel restrictions could enable Palestinian suicide
bombers to enter the country.

Underscoring the difficulties, Palestinian militants fired several
rockets at Israel after Israeli undercover troops killed three Islamic
Jihad gunmen in a West Bank raid.


.