Wiesenthal Center: “World Should Not Fund Nor Recognize A Hamas Government”

January 26, 2006

WIESENTHAL CENTER: “WORLD SHOULD NOT FUND NOR RECOGNIZE A HAMAS GOVERNMENT”

The Simon Wiesenthal Center in response to Hamas’ victory in the Palestinian elections urged the world community to cut off all funding and political recognition from a Hamas headed government.

“This is a frightening development that could wreak havoc on any chance for Mid East peace.  No country would accept a terrorist headed state in its backyard.  The international community must act with one voice, telling Hamas, as long as they remain a terrorist organization committed to the destruction of the State of Israel, there can be no international funding and no recognition,” said Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and dean of the Wiesenthal Center.

“You cannot be a bank teller by day and a bank robber by night. You cannot be a Parliamentarian and a terrorist at the same time.  This is a moment for them to choose their uniform,” said Rabbi Hier.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS and the Council of Europe.

For more information, please contact the Center's Public Relations Department, 310-553-9036.