January 30, 2006
German chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed support for Israel's policy in the wake of Hamas' surprise win in the Palestinian parliamentary elections. Speaking at a press conference after her meeting with Israel's acting prime minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem, Merkel said that Germany would not hold talks with Hamas "until it recognizes Israel 's right to exist." Merkel also said the European Union would not fund the Palestinian National Authority involving Hamas if the militant group did not renounce its commitment to the destruction of the Jewish state. Merkel is due to meet Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Monday, but she has refused to talk with Hamas leaders. Merkel's 24-hour trip to Israel and the Palestinian territory makes her the first foreign leader to visit the region since Hamas' sweeping victory in last week's parliamentary elections.
