Hamas Realizes looming cash dilemma

The EU's warning that the subsidies paid to the Palestinians is in jeopardy has hit home.

Ismail Haniya, a Hamas leader, said in Gaza on Monday: "We call on you to understand the priorities of our Palestinian people at this stage and continue the spiritual and financial support in order to push the region towards stability rather than pressure and tension."

Haniya, who headed Hamas's list of candidates, also appealed to the so-called Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators - the United States, the EU, the United Nations and Russia - to talk to the group without preconditions.

Push the region towards stability? Their winning (hence the Palestinan's votes) has raised the tension. Hamas needs to do either:

• Find other sources of cash from those who maintain the same beliefs
• Recognize Israel's right to exist.

I do not expect the second to happen. Considering the enormous cash flows coming into the oil exporting countries (Russia included), it is time to find someone else to finance yourselves.

The United Nations secretary-general has said that a Hamas-led Palestinian government must commit to non-violence, recognition of Israel and acceptance of existing peace agreements if it is to maintain its level of financial support.

Kofi Annan, speaking for the Quartet of would-be peace-making nations after their meeting in London on Monday, also said the group must set up a government that is committed to the rule of law, tolerance, reform and sound fiscal management.

Annan said it was "inevitable that future assistance to any new government would be reviewed by donors against that government's commitment" to such principles.

Shortly after Annan spoke, Al-Arabiya satellite channel in the Middle East reported that Hamas had rejected demands to disarm and recognise Israel.

You do not see overwhelming support for North Korea - mainly because the policies of North Korea do not match the West's. Yet the North Korean people are suffering.

Abu Zuhri said the Palestinian people were being punished for exercising their democratic right.

"The Quartet has punished the Palestinian people for having cast their vote."

No the Quartet has not punished the Palestinian people for having cast their vote.