Blair: We will aid Hamas if it recognizes Israel

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Thursday that if Hamas wants to ask for aid from Britain, it will first have to recognize Israel's existence, choose democracy as a path, and abandon violence. At a London press conference, Blair said that he does not intend to meet with Hamas leaders, since it could be interpreted as Britain trying to promote the peace process without asking Hamas to take back its call for Israel's destruction, Israel Radio reported.