E.U. LAWMAKERS MEET WITH HAMAS

E.U. lawmakers visit P.A. (JTA)
European Union lawmakers visited the Palestinian Authority and met with Hamas officials. In Gaza on Tuesday, P.A. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh hosted 10 European Parliament members, who urged an end to the West's boycott of direct aid to the Hamas-led government.

A E.U. spokeswoman made clear that the lawmakers do not represent the bloc's foreign policy. The European Union is continuing to apply the embargo until Hamas accepts the idea of coexistence with Israel. Jerusalem condemned the visitors, saying they risked bolstering Hamas.