Hamas makes it official: No recognition of Israel..and Abbas is reminded who is in charge

Khaled Mashaal, Hamas' political chief said once again Wednesday that the group would not recognize Israel, and made a point of reminding current Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas not to forget who was in charge and to do nothing without consulting the Hamas.Jerusalem Post | Breaking News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World

"I take this opportunity to tell brother Abu Mazen not to make any new moves, changes or appointments" without consulting Hamas, political leader Khaled Mashaal told a press conference in Cairo. "I am saying here that Hamas will not deal with any changes and will consider them null and void."

Mashaal probably pulled the reins on Abbas just in case he had any ideas of appointing any of his Fatah cronies to positions of real power.

Like I said, I give Abbas about 6 months in his current position, long enough for Hamas to drive out Fatah gang bosses Jibril Rajoub and Mohammed Dahlan and consolidate the `security forces' and all offices of government in secure hands.

What was that about giving to the Palestinians but not to Hamas, Minister Straw?