Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz met with Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov on Saturday during a NATO conference in Sicily, Italy. He said that last week's invitation by Russia for Hamas leaders to visit Moscow "created a break in the international unity against Hamas and terrorism."
On Friday, Mofaz addressed the NATO Defense Ministers and said that the Hamas victory had meant a "defeat for the forces of peace in the Middle East." In a speech that barely merited a mention in the world press, Mofaz explained that Israel would not accept a terrorist government that calls for its destruction.
Mofaz also had words of criticism of Russian cooperation with Iran and Syria.
The meeting between the two Defense Ministers included an invitation to Mofaz to visit Moscow. Ivanov also said that the Russian Army's Chief of Staff would soon visit Israel. Nevertheless, tension caused by Russia's attitude towards Hamas was apparent.
Mofaz said it was not "logical" for Moscow to invite Hamas in the midst of the global war against terrorism, nor is it acceptable:
"It cannot be that Russia calls for international cooperation in the struggle against terrorism on the one hand, and at the same time, opens a gate to an organization like Hamas - while the entire international community supports the policy and conditions presented by Israel."
Mofaz compared Hamas several times to the Chechen threat faced by Russia. In fact, a document published by the Israeli Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, located north of Tel Aviv, shows that Hamas supports the Chechen rebels in their fight for independence from the Russian regime. Hamas support for the Chechens is seen in posters, CDs and films that have been found in Judea and Samaria, and Hamas considers the Chechens part of the global Jihad.
Minister Ivanov said that as Hamas has been voted into power, "at the end of the day, the whole world will talk with Hamas." He said that Russia would make clear that a continuation of terrorism and refusal to recognize Israel is unacceptable.
Despite the fact that Hamas has already accepted the invitation, Ivanov said that the invitation is not yet official.
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Cabinet today, "The moment the new PA legislature is sworn in [with its Hamas majority], the rules of the game change. It will then be a Hamas Authority. We are not winking at anyone; if we say no, it's no, and if we say yes, it's yes."
On Friday, Mofaz addressed the NATO Defense Ministers and said that the Hamas victory had meant a "defeat for the forces of peace in the Middle East." In a speech that barely merited a mention in the world press, Mofaz explained that Israel would not accept a terrorist government that calls for its destruction.
Mofaz also had words of criticism of Russian cooperation with Iran and Syria.
The meeting between the two Defense Ministers included an invitation to Mofaz to visit Moscow. Ivanov also said that the Russian Army's Chief of Staff would soon visit Israel. Nevertheless, tension caused by Russia's attitude towards Hamas was apparent.
Mofaz said it was not "logical" for Moscow to invite Hamas in the midst of the global war against terrorism, nor is it acceptable:
"It cannot be that Russia calls for international cooperation in the struggle against terrorism on the one hand, and at the same time, opens a gate to an organization like Hamas - while the entire international community supports the policy and conditions presented by Israel."
Mofaz compared Hamas several times to the Chechen threat faced by Russia. In fact, a document published by the Israeli Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, located north of Tel Aviv, shows that Hamas supports the Chechen rebels in their fight for independence from the Russian regime. Hamas support for the Chechens is seen in posters, CDs and films that have been found in Judea and Samaria, and Hamas considers the Chechens part of the global Jihad.
Minister Ivanov said that as Hamas has been voted into power, "at the end of the day, the whole world will talk with Hamas." He said that Russia would make clear that a continuation of terrorism and refusal to recognize Israel is unacceptable.
Despite the fact that Hamas has already accepted the invitation, Ivanov said that the invitation is not yet official.
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Cabinet today, "The moment the new PA legislature is sworn in [with its Hamas majority], the rules of the game change. It will then be a Hamas Authority. We are not winking at anyone; if we say no, it's no, and if we say yes, it's yes."