Christopher Shays: “the founding charter of Hamas reads, ``Israel will rise and will remain erect until Islam eliminates it as it had…”

“the founding charter of Hamas reads, ``Israel will rise and will remain erect until Islam eliminates it as it had eliminated its predecessors.'' Madam Speaker, when your enemy says he is going to kill you, you better pay attention. The Hamas victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections is of great concern to me and many others and presents a major challenge to the peace process. Hamas ran a campaign primarily based on cleaning out the corruption of the Fatah party. The Palestinian people responded to this pledge, but sadly in the process elected a terrorist government. Unless Hamas recognizes the State of Israel's right to exist, ceases incitement and permanently disarms and dismantles their terrorist infrastructure, there is no hope for peace. The bottom line is neither our government nor Israel can meet with or provide assistance to a government led by this terrorist organization.”