Peres: There's 'no need' for negotiations with Haniyeh

By ELIE LESHEM
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's announcement that his organization is willing to hold cease-fire negotiations with Israel is a "pathetic and misleading attempt to divert international attention away from the crimes of Hamas and Islamic Jihad," President Shimon Peres announced Wednesday. "If Hamas and Islamic Jihad stop firing rockets at our women and children Israel will immediately hold its fire, so there is no need for negotiations," Peres said in a statement. "Hamas does not give hope to [the Palestinian] people; its sole purpose is to sow destruction, bloodshed and war and the moment it ceases its violent crimes quiet will once again reign in our region."