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Islamic Bombers Triumph at Ballot
by Stephen Farrell and Ian MacKinnon
 Militant Islam scored one of its biggest victories when election results showed that Hamas had crushed the Fatah party that had ruled Palestinian politics for 40 years. The victory of a group dedicated to Israel's destruction shocked Western leaders and put paid to any hopes of swiftly reviving the Middle East peace process. President Bush, Tony Blair, and other world leaders united in demanding that Hamas, responsible for more than 50 suicide bombings and 430 Israeli deaths in recent years, renounce violence and recognize Israel or face isolation. (Times-UK)
Olmert: Hamas Is No Partner
by Ronny Sofer
 Speaking during an emergency meeting of the security cabinet in Jerusalem Thursday, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said, "Should a government be established in the Palestinian Authority with Hamas leading or participating, the PA will become a sponsor of terror. The world and Israel will ignore it and it will become irrelevant." The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying, "The State of Israel will not hold negotiations with a Palestinian government led by an armed terror organization that advocates its destruction. Israel will continue to fight terror resolutely." (Ynet News)
Israelis Aid Kenya Building Collapse Rescue
by Anthony Mwangi
 "I do not believe I'm alive," said Martin Muhinda after being buried for 24 hours when a five-story building under construction collapsed on Monday in Nairobi. The Israeli rescue team was instrumental in his rescue as they pulled him out using highly specialized equipment and sniffer dogs. Ms. Tal Nain, a 21-year-old medic with the Israeli rescue team, said the team comprised five dogs, seven medics and a support team. (Reuters)
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President Bush on the Hamas Victory
 "[Hamas has] got to get rid of that arm of their party which is armed and violent, and secondly, they have got to get rid of that part of their platform that says they want to destroy Israel. And if they don't, we won't deal with them. Aid packages won't go forward....We won't be providing help to a government that wants to destroy our ally and friend. I don't see how you can be a partner in peace if you don't renounce violent aims." (CBS News)
Who's Who in Hamas?
by Sam Knight
 The stunning victory for Hamas in the Palestinian parliamentary elections has catapulted the organization's leadership, until recently a closely-kept secret, into a pivotal role in international politics. Khaled Mashal (pictured), a physics teacher in his late forties, is the supreme leader of Hamas, who lives in exile in Damascus. Mashal is considered by Israel to be the director of the group's terrorist attacks. (Times-UK)
See also What Hamas' Charter Says about Israel (AP)
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