Hamas rejects Bush’s call to disarm

GAZA – Hamas yesterday rejected US President George W.Bush’s latest call to disarm following the Islamic militant group’s crushing victory over the long-dominant Fatah faction in last week’s Palestinian parliamentary election.

“Our resistance is legitimate self-defence in the face of aggression,” said Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas leader in Gaza, referring to Israeli military action. In Washington, US President George W.Bush demanded in his State of the Union address on Tuesday that Hamas “recognise Israel, disarm, reject terrorism and work for lasting peace”.Hamas is sworn to Israel’s destruction and has carried out nearly 60 suicide bombings since a Palestinian uprising began in 2000.But the group has largely held to a year-long ceasefire, while pledging to strike back in response to Israeli attacks.In a series of remarks after Hamas’s Jan.25 election victory, Bush said Washington would not support a Palestinian government that included Hamas unless the group recognised Israel’s right to exist.He also called on Hamas to disarm and “disavow terrorism”.- Nampa-ReutersIn Washington, US President George W.Bush demanded in his State of the Union address on Tuesday that Hamas “recognise Israel, disarm, reject terrorism and work for lasting peace”.Hamas is sworn to Israel’s destruction and has carried out nearly 60 suicide bombings since a Palestinian uprising began in 2000.But the group has largely held to a year-long ceasefire, while pledging to strike back in response to Israeli attacks.In a series of remarks after Hamas’s Jan.25 election victory, Bush said Washington would not support a Palestinian government that included Hamas unless the group recognised Israel’s right to exist.He also called on Hamas to disarm and “disavow terrorism”.- Nampa-Reuters