Hamas minister praises report by British parliament that slammed EU isolation policy

Palestinian Information Minister Yousef Rezka, who is also a Hamas member, on Thursday praised a report by a British parliamentary committee that slammed the European Union (EU) boycott of the Hamas-led Palestinian government.

"I call on European governments to open direct dialogue with Prime Minister Ismail Haneya to achieve mutual interests and make stability in the Middle East," said Rezka.

The report presented by Commons International Development Committee said that Western boycott of the Hamas administration has pushed Hamas to seek aid from Iran.

The U.S. and EU consider Hamas a terrorist organization while the U.S. considers Iran another enemy.

Meanwhile, Rezka renewed condemnation of the U.S. decision to fund forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with 86 million U.S. dollars.

"The Palestinian people want the siege to be lifted... they don 't want weapons," Rezka added.

Hamas, which took power this March following its defeat of former ruling Fatah movement in January elections, has been under Western siege because of its refusal to recognize Israel and the signed peace deals.

Source: Xinhua