He also called Hamas the "Palestinian version of Al Qaeda".
Obama said, "It is very difficult for Israel to negotiate in a serious way with a party that refuses to acknowledge its right to exist... [Hamas] is not a partner for a significant, realistic peace process."
But Ghazi Hamad, a Hamas spokesperson responded, telling Al Jazeera: "Hamas is not a terrorist organisation."
"We've spent 20 years in negotiations. It is enough. It is enough for the Palestinians... Hamas is fighting for our people, for our homeland, for our liberation, for our dignity, for our independence."
He also said that while a successful peace process remained to be seen, "We cannot give Israel the carte blanch that they have to enjoy the occupation... and to say we have to stop the resistance against the occupation." (FOR THE FULL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE)
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