Share
Email
PrintMeshaal would consider ceasefire
Hamas’ leader in exile, Khaled Meshaal, said he would consider a truce with Israel.
The statement, which appeared Friday in the London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al Hayat, is significant because Meshaal leads hard-line elements in Hamas. The terrorist movement took over the Gaza Strip last June and has resisted Egyptian attempts to broker a cease-fire with Israel.
Meshaal timed his statement for an Arab foreign ministers’ summit in Damascus. Meanwhile, leaders at a Hamas rally in Gaza held during the summit called on Arab nations meeting in Damascus to join in armed battle against the Jewish state.
U.S.-friendly Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, have come under U.S. pressure to help bring about an end to the rocket attacks on Israel’s south launched from Gaza.
Meshaal defended Hamas’ targeting of Israeli civilians but said he would consider an “overall” calming period that would include the West Bank. Israel has carried out frequent raids in the Fatah-dominated West Bank in pursuit of radical Islamic terrorists.
Click to login and write a letter to the editor or sign up for the Daily Briefing.
This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.
Featured Content
Need to know? Get JTA's free e-newsletters!
- Citing Palestinian conflict, rocker Cat Power cancels Tel Aviv show
- Jewish groups praise Obama contraceptives compromise
- Holder: U.S. urged Israel not to release killers of Americans
- Turkish FM: We will never endorse striking Iran
- Israeli missile defense test a ‘milestone’
- Sarkozy: Iran solution should be non-military
- Marines’ SS photo condemned by Jewish groups
- Grandson of Auschwitz survivor takes the ice for Germany
