Earlier this week some European countries have called on Europe, Israel and Palestinian Authority to engage in negotiations with the terrorist organization Hamas.
“The European Jewish Congress is strongly disappointed by this proposal” said today EJC President Moshe Kantor. “We call upon the nations of the European Union to reject it” . Before engaging in any talks with Hamas, it should be clear to all democratic parties involved in the Middle East conflict that it is up to Hamas to follow the three conditions as set by the Quartet in order to be accepted as a legitimate partner for negotiations :

recognize Israel’s right to exist,
renounce violence,
accept existing agreements.

Beginning talks without forcing Hamas to follow the Quartet’s demand could be interpreted as a confirmation to terrorists around the world that terror pays up and is legitimate to achieve political goals.

European Jewish Congress also believes that the European capitals should engage themselves in putting restless pressure on Hamas to obtain the release of the Israeli soldier Guilad Shalit, taken hostage by the Hamas on June 25th 2006.

The European Jewish Congress is the sole representative body of democratically elected European Jewish communities throughout Europe. The EJC works with national governments, European Union institutions and the Council of Europe to give a unified voice to Jewish communities around Europe.