Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson underlined that the Hamas terror group must “renounce terror”, recognise Israel’s right to exist, cease its “violent antisemitic propaganda”, and abide by the Quartet Principles, speaking in Foreign and Commonwealth Office Questions today.
Responding to a question from Crispin Blunt MP, Foreign Secretary Johnson emphasised: “There may be in the end the prospect of Hamas being brought in, but before that can happen they have to renounce terror, they have to recognise the right of Israel to exist, they have to cease and desist from violent antisemitic propaganda, they have to abide by the Quartet Principles”.
The Quartet Principles are the principles for engagement in the Middle East peace process, issued in 2002. They are: the recognition of Israel; the renunciation of violence; adherence to previous diplomatic agreements.
Former Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Crispin Blunt MP, had asked the Foreign Secretary: “Did my Right Honourable friend notice over the weekend Tony Blair’s remarks recognising that the international community was wrong not to enter into dialogue with Hamas when they were elected in 2006, and is there not now another opportunity with the deal that is being brokered by Egypt between Hamas and Fatah to engage Hamas in a dialogue in order to draw them into a constructive position”.
Hamas has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, and is designated as a terrorist organisation by the US, the EU, Canada, and Israel.
The organisation’s founding charter calls for the destruction of Israel, and the organisation has repeatedly opposed peace efforts.
