February 13, 2006 – New York – The American Jewish Committee sent a letter today to Russian President Vladimir Putin expressing “deep concern regarding the decision to invite a Hamas delegation to visit Moscow.”
The letter points out that Russia and the other members of the Quartet had established that any member of a future Palestinian government must be committed to nonviolence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap.
“It remains our firm belief that Hamas should be denied the legitimacy it would gain by such a visit unless it first adheres unambiguously to the principles set for the by the Quartet," wrote AJC President E. Robert Goodkind and Executive Director David A. Harris.
The full text of the letter follows:
Dear President Putin:
As an organization committed to a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on a two-state solution, we are writing to express our deep concern regarding the decision to invite a Hamas delegation to visit Moscow.
We wish to recall that the Quartet, reaffirming a previous statement it made before the Palestinian elections, declared on January 30: “It is the view of the Quartet that all members of a future Palestinian government must be committed to nonviolence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap.” Both statements were adopted with the full approval of the Russian Federation, which is a member of the Quartet.
Regrettably, the international policy that followed the first statement was inconsistent with the statement’s principles. Instead of insisting that only parties that adhere to the above principles could participate in the Palestinian elections, members of the international community pressured Israel to allow Hamas’ participation, in the apparent hope that the terrorist organization would embrace these principles once it became a participant in the political process. Hamas has proven these predictions wrong, blatantly reaffirming its intentions to destroy the State of Israel, and its commitment to achieve its goals by “armed struggle,” namely through violence and terrorism.
The international community should remain united in its stance to deal with Hamas only if it agrees to recognize Israel’s right to exist, abandon terrorism, and respect existing agreements and obligations. Any deviation from these principles would only strengthen the radicals who are opposed to reconciliation and peace, further marginalize the moderates who are willing to engage in the quest for peace, and indeed have reverberations for all nations engaged in the struggle against terrorism, including the Russian Federation. The international community should not repeat the mistake it committed before the Palestinian elections.
We have taken note of your Government’s explanation that a visit by a Hamas delegation could provide an opportunity to change this organization’s positions. It remains our firm belief, however, that Hamas should be denied the legitimacy it would gain by such a visit unless it first adheres unambiguously to the principles set forth by the Quartet.
Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of our highest esteem.
Respectfully,
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