Britain To Hamas "Terrorism Works"

Except for the destruction of Israel, there is nothing that Hamas wants more than to break down the wall of refusal they face when trying to have meetings with EU ambassadors. A meeting represents legitimacy of their presence in government and of the terror that got them there. Today, it looks as if they are getting their victory. A British diplomat is to meet with Hamas Prime Minister (They Call me) Ismail Haniyeh.

I feel horrible that BBC reporter Alan Johnston is being held by the Palestinians. And to be honest, I am a little curious why they would kidnap a BBC reporter, because the BBC coverage is one-sided pro Palestinian. Whatever the reason, by meeting with Haniyeh, Britain is teaching Hamas that Kidnapping works. From now on, each time Hamas wants to meet with a diplomat, all they have to do is kidnap a couple of Brits--and thats the saddest part.

British envoy to meet Palestinian PM

British envoy to meet Palestinian prime minister to discuss efforts to free abducted BBC journalist Alan Johnston
Reuters

British envoy to meet Palestinian prime minister to discuss efforts to free abducted BBC journalist Alan Johnston

Reuters

A British envoy will meet Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas on Thursday to discuss efforts to free an abducted journalist, a British diplomat said, despite an EU ban on contacts with the group.

"This is just to discuss the kidnapping. It doesn't represent a change of policy," a British diplomat said about talks Consul-General Richard Makepeace planned with Haniyeh in Gaza on the March 12 abduction of the BBC's Alan Johnston.

It will be the first such meeting between a representative of the British government and a Hamas member of the new Palestinian unity government. The European Union considers Hamas to be a terrorist organization.

Johnston, seized by gunmen while driving his car in Gaza, has been held captive longer than any other journalist in the coastal strip.

There has been no public word on his fate despite Palestinian government pledges to find him.

Israel has called on Western powers to maintain an international boycott of the Hamas-led unity government, which has rejected their demands to recognise the Jewish state, renounce violence and accept existing interim peace deals.

But the United States, breaking with Israel, has said it would hold unofficial contacts with non-Hamas ministers. Britain and some other European countries have taken a similar line.

"We requested the meeting to discuss the kidnapping. This is the first time we have met with Haniyeh," the diplomat said.

Western diplomats said there has been a general understanding since Hamas came to power in March 2006 that their no-contact policies could be relaxed in extreme cases such as kidnappings.