Netanyahu accuses int'l community of having 'double standards' over Hamas row

ANI

London, Dec 11 (ANI): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the international community of 'deafening silence' in response to recent vows by the head of the Hamas militant group to fight on until the Jewish state is destroyed. Netanyahu accused the international community of having double standards, condemning not-yet-built settlements in the West Bank while standing quiet during a historic visit to the Gaza Strip by Hamas' exiled leader, Khaled Mashaal. Making his first trip to the Hamas-ruled territory over the weekend, Mashaal delivered a series of speeches to throngs of supporters vowing to wipe Israel off the map. According to the Daily Star, Netanyahu also directed his ire at Hamas' rival, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, for not speaking out. "This weekend the leader of Hamas, sitting next to the Hamas leader of Gaza, a man who praised Osama Bin Laden, this weekend openly called for the destruction of Israel. Where was the outrage? Where were the UN resolutions? Where was President Abbas?" the report quoted Netanyahu, as saying. "Why weren't Palestinian diplomats summoned to European and other capitals to explain why the PA president not only refused to condemn this but actually declared his intention to unite with Hamas. There was nothing, there was silence and it was deafening silence," he added. According to the report, Netanyahu's tough words were likely to deepen the rift between Israel and some of its closest allies, that has emerged since the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted in favour of Palestinian independence last month. (ANI)