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Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/08/AR2006020802119.html
Israel, U.S. Tackle Hamas Dilemma
(Washington Post) Glenn Kessler - Secretary of State Rice and Israeli Foreign Minister Livni met Wednesday in Washington and urged the emerging Palestinian government led by Hamas to recognize Israel and renounce violence. Israel is trying to hold together an international consensus that a Hamas-led government is unacceptable, fully aware that, as the shock of the election result wears off, there will be pressure to work with the Palestinian government and provide assistance to the Palestinian people. The election victory of Hamas in effect turned back the clock of Middle East diplomacy by two decades, as the U.S. once again tries to cajole Palestinian leaders to recognize Israel's right to exist. According to an Israeli official, Livni told Rice that the window of opportunity that opened after the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza was "slammed shut." Israel this week paid a monthly installment of about $50 million in taxes and customs duties owed to the PA, but Livni said the payments would end as soon as Hamas entered the government. If the new government does not recognize previous agreements between Palestinians and Israelis, then Israel will not be required to fulfill this one, she said.