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With New Document of Principles, Hamas Still Wants to Destroy Israel

(New York Times) Ian Fisher - Hamas, the militant group built around violent resistance to Israel, on Monday released a new document of principles that calls for closer ties to Egypt, waters down the anti-Semitic language from its charter, and accepts at least a provisional Palestinian state - though it still does not formally recognize Israel. Experts on all sides say the new document is unlikely to represent any profound change in Hamas' true position toward Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said, "Hamas' document is a smokescreen. We see Hamas continuing to invest all of its resources not just in preparing for war with Israel, but also in educating the children of Gaza to want to destroy Israel." The document will change "not even one mind" in Israel, said Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Yossi Kuperwasser. He called it a "sugarcoating" of old positions that did not renounce Hamas' original charter and did not recognize Israel's right to exist. In the document, Hamas reiterates that Palestinians who fled during wars with Israelis have the right to return - largely a nonstarter in successive peace negotiations with Israel - and it does not renounce violence.
2017-05-03 00:00:00
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