Hamas Still Refuses to Recognize Israel

I am confused. I am constantly reading about how the best opportunity for peace in the Middle East is being squandered by a lack of U.S. drive and then this: Hamas announcing in a meeting in Moscow that they are still refusing to recognize Israel's right to exist.

Sound's real close to me.

Feb. 27, 2007 11:40 Updated Feb. 27, 2007 16:23
Mashaal in Russia: Hamas not ready to recognize Israel
By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hamas's political leader said Tuesday that the militant group is not ready to recognize Israel, which has been a key demand of international peace negotiators.

"First of all, Israel has to end its occupation of Palestinian territory and put an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people," Khaled Mashaal said when asked about recognition of Israel during a news conference at the close of a trip to Russia.