Hamas spokesmen took credit Saturday for Middle East Quartet Envoy Tony Blair's recent statement that the group should be involved in the peace process. The statement proves that Hamas is “a movement that cannot be ignored” and is the group that most represents Palestinian Authority Arabs, according to Hamas official Mushir al-Masri.
While taking the statement as proof of its power, Hamas also insulted Blair, calling his suggestion that the group be involved in negotiations “utterly foolish and useless.” Blair's call for dialogue would “grant the Zionist enemies the excuse to commit their crimes,” and the message “testifies to Blair's stupidity,” Masri said.