THE GUARDIAN: Commons foreign affairs committee says policy of non-engagement is achieving little
The government is facing fresh calls today from MPs to open contacts with the militant Palestinian Hamas movement in an attempt to inject new momentum into the Middle East peace process.
The Commons foreign affairs committee said the current policy of non-engagement with Hamas - which controls the Gaza strip - appeared to be achieving little.
It reiterated its call of two years ago for the government to "urgently" consider ways of engaging politically with "moderate elements" within the group.
The government refuses to talk to Hamas until it accepts the principles of the international Quartet - the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia - of non-violence and acceptance of the existence of the state of Israel. >>> Press Association | Sunday, July 26 2009
