Hamas to Trump: We want to wipe out Israel, not recognize it, by David Rosenberg.

A senior Hamas leader denounced demands by the Trump administration that the terror group be disarmed, and that its leadership must recognize the State of Israel following the reconciliation agreement between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. …

On Wednesday, President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt demanded that … the terror group must disarm, recognize Israel, and adhere to all other agreements and commitments the PA has made over the past quarter century.

Hamas on Thursday blasted Greenblatt’s statement, accusing the United States of “blatantly interfering in matters that belong only to the Palestinian people. We have the right to choose a government that is suitable for the Palestinians.” …

At a rally in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Hamas’ second highest ranking military leader, Yahya Sinwar, not only denounced Greenblatt and the Trump administration’s demand, but declared that Hamas still has every intention of annihilating the State of Israel.

“Gone is the time in which Hamas discussed recognition of Israel. The discussion now is about when we will wipe out Israel,” said Sinwar.

“No one has the ability to extract from us recognition of the occupation. No one will disarm us. No one can disarm Hamas.”

Well, everyone knew that anyway. Now it’s official.

And the “West” asks why there is no peace in the Middle East. “Move along, nothing to see here”……

hat-tip Scott of the Pacific