US 'will not deal with Hamas'
2006-05-05 13:27
Washington - President George W Bush said on Thursday that the United States would not waver in its commitment to the security of Israel and would have no contact with Hamas leaders of the Palestinian government until the militant group recognised the Jewish state.
Bush and German chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking at the 100th-anniversary gala of the American Jewish Committee, presented a united front on Hamas and Iran - both of which had refused to recognise Israel.
Merkel was the first German chancellor to address the annual event. She said: "I know that this is anything, but a matter of course for a chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany to be invited to address you here tonight."
US commitment to Israel 'is strong'
She agreed with Bush that contacts with Hamas would only take place once it renounced violence and recognised Israel.
Bush said: "America's commitment to Israel's security is strong, enduring and unshakable.
"Hamas has made it clear that they do not acknowledge the right of Israel to exist, and I made it clear that as long as that's their policy, we will have no contact with the leaders of Hamas."
The US and the European Union had cut off direct financial support for the authority, which had been unable to receive funds from abroad because local, regional and international banks feared sanctions by America, which regarded Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
Jewish state should be 'wiped off the map'
He said: "Hamas must accept the demands of the international community to recognise Israel, disarm and reject terrorism, and stop blocking the path to peace."
Bush and Merkel criticised Iran's stance on Israel. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had said that the Jewish state should be "wiped off the map".
Merkel said: "Nobody can call into question Israel's right to exist. Therefore, for any German government it is unbearable and unacceptable when the Iranian president questions this very right."
The American and German leaders, who discussed Iran's nuclear ambitions at the White House on Wednesday, stressed again they would work to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon.
UN security council resolutions
The West suspected Iran's nuclear programme of being a cover for developing weapons, while Tehran said it was for peaceful power generation.
Bush said: "America will continue to rally the world to confront these threats, we're making progress. We will continue to press the Iranian government to comply" with UN security council resolutions.
The US, Britain and France were pressing forward with a UN security council resolution demanding that Iran curb its nuclear ambitions, and said they would push for targeted sanctions if Tehran does not comply.
Merkel said: "We must prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. In the current situation it is of utmost importance that the international community remains together. Germany will do its part to this end."