BUSH: US WILL NOT DEAL WITH HAMAS

Bush: US will not deal with Hamas.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Thursday the United States would not waver in its commitment to the security of Israel and would have no contact with Hamas leaders of the Palestinian government until the militant group recognizes the Jewish state. Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking at the 100th-anniversary gala of the American Jewish Committee, presented a united front on Hamas and Iran — both of which have refused to recognize Israel. Merkel was the first German chancellor to address the annual event. “I know that this is anything but a matter of course for a chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany to be invited to address you here tonight,” she said. She agreed with Bush that contacts with Hamas would only occur once it renounced violence and recognized Israel. “America’s commitment to Israel’s security is strong, enduring and unshakable,” Bush said. “Hamas has made it clear that they do not acknowledge the right of Israel to exist, and I made it clear that so long as that’s their policy we will have no contact with the leaders of Hamas,” he said to applause.