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Hamas ready to ‘change manners’ after Russia trip

GAZA CITY: Islamic group Hamas admitted on Sunday that it had to “change its manners” after winning the Palestinian elections but showed no sign of compromise with Israel as it wrapped up a landmark trip to Russia.

The comments came as Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal finished the group’s first formal visit to a major power with a tour of the Kremlin and a meeting with Patriarch Alexei II, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, who called for talks with Israel.

After three days of insisting that the next move in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was up to Israel, Hamas leaders sought to sweeten their rhetoric on Sunday while still rebuffing calls to recognise Israel and renounce violence. “We don’t say ‘no’ to everything,” senior Hamas official Mohammed Nazzal said. “We know that we are in a new phase, a new stage” following Hamas’ victory in the January 25 Palestinian elections, he said.

“Hamas must change its manners. We know that very well. But what we are saying is that we want a response from the Israelis. If you want Hamas to change its policies, you must also request that the Israelis change their policies.” afp

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