State Department officials also refused to take a stand on Israel's targeted killings of Arab terrorists and refrained from supporting Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stand that he would not meet with Palestinian Authority (PA) leaders until terrorism stops.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters this week, "It [Hamas] must be disarmed. A terror organization can't be involved in politics and carrying out terror attacks. The PA must make it clear to Hamas that as long as they continue to operate militarily, they have no place in the political system."
The Ynet news site and the Israel Hasbara Committee reported that the American government officially announced its opposition to Hamas’ participation in the PA legislative elections which have been rescheduled for January. The terrorist organization has won about one-third of the seats in local elections and has maintained that support in most opinion polls.
The carefully worded American opposition to Hamas running candidates was conditioned on its operating "militarily," leaving the option that the U.S. would not be against Hamas running candidates if the organization disarms, a move which would not necessarily be permanent.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack (pictured above) echoed the uncertain policy in a briefing with reporters the same day. He said there is a "fundamental contradiction" when an organization committed to terror participates in the political process, but added that it is up to the Palestinians to "choose to resolve" the conflict. "That's a decision for the Palestinian people to make clear, and we've been very clear about that," McCormack explained.
The spokesman also did not answer questions concerning whether American aid to the PA is conditioned on Hamas not being allowed to run in elections. "I will have to look into the question. Of course, we do not provide aid to terrorist groups," McCormack said.
American officials gave a similar response to a Congressional subcommittee two months ago when they were asked if the PA could continue to accept American funds if it accepts Hamas in a coalition.
The State Department also did not state whether it supports Israel’s policy of targeting terrorist leaders and Prime Minister Sharon's statement Thursday that Israel will not meet with PA leaders while terrorism continues.
McCormack declined to formulate clearly the American policy. Asked if killing terrorist leaders damages future negotiations, he answered three times, "Our policy on that matter is unchanged and well-known." The American government supported the elimination of terrorist leaders after the outbreak of the Oslo War in 2000 However, in the past year the U.S. has repeatedly said Israel has a right to defend itself but must take into consideration the consequences of its actions.
Concerning Sharon's refusal to talk with the PA while terrorists attack, McCormack said, "We certainly encourage more contact rather than less contact to work through issues. In terms of contacts between Prime Minister Sharon and [PA Chairman Mahmoud] Abbas, certainly we encourage those contacts.”
One reporter noted that Israel arrested and did not kill the Islamic Jihad terrorist leader in Jenin on Wednesday. "Could you foresee a Palestinian-Israeli court to try that person and to put an end to this?" McCormack did not answer the question.
The State Department spokesman also did not agree with a suggestion that Abbas is not fighting terror. "We believe that they [Sharon and Abbas] share a common goal and that is a common struggle to fight against those terrorist groups who would try to subvert progress."
White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters this week, "It [Hamas] must be disarmed. A terror organization can't be involved in politics and carrying out terror attacks. The PA must make it clear to Hamas that as long as they continue to operate militarily, they have no place in the political system."
The Ynet news site and the Israel Hasbara Committee reported that the American government officially announced its opposition to Hamas’ participation in the PA legislative elections which have been rescheduled for January. The terrorist organization has won about one-third of the seats in local elections and has maintained that support in most opinion polls.
The carefully worded American opposition to Hamas running candidates was conditioned on its operating "militarily," leaving the option that the U.S. would not be against Hamas running candidates if the organization disarms, a move which would not necessarily be permanent.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack (pictured above) echoed the uncertain policy in a briefing with reporters the same day. He said there is a "fundamental contradiction" when an organization committed to terror participates in the political process, but added that it is up to the Palestinians to "choose to resolve" the conflict. "That's a decision for the Palestinian people to make clear, and we've been very clear about that," McCormack explained.
The spokesman also did not answer questions concerning whether American aid to the PA is conditioned on Hamas not being allowed to run in elections. "I will have to look into the question. Of course, we do not provide aid to terrorist groups," McCormack said.
American officials gave a similar response to a Congressional subcommittee two months ago when they were asked if the PA could continue to accept American funds if it accepts Hamas in a coalition.
The State Department also did not state whether it supports Israel’s policy of targeting terrorist leaders and Prime Minister Sharon's statement Thursday that Israel will not meet with PA leaders while terrorism continues.
McCormack declined to formulate clearly the American policy. Asked if killing terrorist leaders damages future negotiations, he answered three times, "Our policy on that matter is unchanged and well-known." The American government supported the elimination of terrorist leaders after the outbreak of the Oslo War in 2000 However, in the past year the U.S. has repeatedly said Israel has a right to defend itself but must take into consideration the consequences of its actions.
Concerning Sharon's refusal to talk with the PA while terrorists attack, McCormack said, "We certainly encourage more contact rather than less contact to work through issues. In terms of contacts between Prime Minister Sharon and [PA Chairman Mahmoud] Abbas, certainly we encourage those contacts.”
One reporter noted that Israel arrested and did not kill the Islamic Jihad terrorist leader in Jenin on Wednesday. "Could you foresee a Palestinian-Israeli court to try that person and to put an end to this?" McCormack did not answer the question.
The State Department spokesman also did not agree with a suggestion that Abbas is not fighting terror. "We believe that they [Sharon and Abbas] share a common goal and that is a common struggle to fight against those terrorist groups who would try to subvert progress."