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Katsav: Israel could negotiate with Hamas

Updated: 22/Jan/2006 17:02

Israeli President, Moshe Katsav

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Israeli President Moshe Katsav said in an interview with a Portuguese newspaper that talks with Hamas could one day be possible if the radical Islamic group abandoned its goal of destroying the Jewish state.

But until Hamas disarms, Katsav said European nations should avoid any dialogue with the group and should pressurise Palestinian Authority over the issue.

"If Hamas were to declare that Israel has the right to exist and if it were to accept the Oslo accords and the roadmap peace plan, I believe we could negotiate," he told weekly Expresso.

The US-sponsored Oslo peace accords of 1993 call for the gradual and partial removal of Israel's occupation in return for Palestinian guarantees to protect Israeli security.

The US-backed roadmap envisions the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

European involvement

However, stressing his opposition to negotiations with Hamas in its current form, Katsav said: “Dialogue with Hamas at this point supports its actions. Hamas can escape pressure from (Palestinian leader) Abu Mazen, arguing that Europe is willing to hold talks with it," he said.

Katsav stressed the significant of the European. "Much is in the hands of European nations now,” he said. “If Europe were to issue an ultimatum to the Palestinian Authority, telling it that if it does not disarm terrorist organisations it will cut its ties with them. That would help Abu Mazen a great deal," he added.

Hamas has carried out most of the suicide bombings in Israel. But the group largely adhered to an informal truce with Israel that expired at the end of the year. It has refused to negotiate with Israel.

The group is considered a terrorist organisation by Israel and western nations.