U.S. says Iran shows ‘true colors’ by restoring Hamas ties

“The new leader of Hamas in Gaza said on Monday that Tehran was again its biggest provider of money and arms after years of tension over the civil war in Syria. Hamas had angered Iran by refusing to support its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in the six-year-old civil war.”

This is no surprise to anyone who understands the true nature of the conflict between Israel and the “Palestinians.” It isn’t about land and “occupation.” Israel isn’t “occupying” any Iranian land (or any land, for that matter). Iran considers Israel a mortal enemy, screams “Death to Israel” on a regular basis, and funds Hamas, because of Islamic principles: the idea that any land once ruled by Islamic law belongs to Islam forever. No negotiated settlement will ever change that.

“U.S. says Iran shows ‘true colors’ by restoring Hamas ties,” by Michelle Nichols, Reuters, August 31, 2017:

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on Thursday Iran had shown its “true colors” by restoring ties with Palestinian militant group Hamas and must be held to account by the international community.

The new leader of Hamas in Gaza said on Monday that Tehran was again its biggest provider of money and arms after years of tension over the civil war in Syria. Hamas had angered Iran by refusing to support its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in the six-year-old civil war.

Haley described the Hamas leader’s statement as a “stunning admission.” Iran is subject to an arms embargo – with exceptions granted only in cases when it has received U.N. Security Council approval for imports or exports.

“Iran is showing its true colors. Iran must decide whether it wants to be a member of the community of nations that can be expected to take its international obligations seriously or whether it wants to be the leader of a jihadist terrorist movement. It cannot be both,” Haley said in a statement.

“It’s long past time for the international community to hold Iran to the same standard that all countries who actually value peace and security are held to,” she said.

Neither Hamas nor Iran have disclosed the full scale of Tehran’s backing. But regional diplomats have said Iran’s financial aid for the Islamist movement was dramatically reduced in recent years and directed to the Qassam Brigades rather than to Hamas’ political institutions….