From IHT:

A Muslim scholar chosen to speak at President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural prayer service Wednesday is the leader of a group that federal prosecutors say has ties to terrorists.

Full Article

Honestly, things like this make me wonder if we’ve been duped or if Obama is just that naive about the connections of these people.  Neither is good.

Also, while it’s entirely possible this is a mistake, do you really let someone with who’s ties are in question get that close to the President?

A Hamas-linked charity based in Ohio has sued the United States government in an attempt to wrest its assets free.

Full Article

This charity, The Kindhearts for Charitable Humanitarian Development, is denying any involvement with Hamas.  I’m not sure what’ll come of this, but there’s a lesson here for everyone: Investigate any charity you donate to!

Prodigal son
By Avi Issacharoff

It takes a few seconds to digest this sight: The son of a Hamas MP who is also the most popular figure in that extremist Islamic organization in the West Bank, a young man who assisted his father for years in his political activities, has become a rank-and-file Christian.

Article Continues… (Haaretz)

I have to say I’m impressed. As if walking away from a terrorist organization doesn’t already have him marked, converting to a different religion takes additional guts. Not to trivialize the situation, but I’m really curious to see how this plays out.

Also, in addition to the obvious, this article offers a look at Hamas from a former insider. Seems pretty clear there can be no peace.

Hamas: Negotiations with Israel out of question
By DPA

A spokesman for Hamas on Saturday said negotiations with Israel is out of the question and that the Islamic movement will never recognize “the enemy.”

Article Continues… (Earth Times)

Recognition of Israel has always been a requirement for peace, so this refusal to “recognize ‘the enemy’” will probably prevent any sort of peace negotiations during the ceasefire. So, why even agree to a ceasefire? Well, according to WorldNetDaily, Hamas terror groups are using this time to rearm.

Once again, in an effort to keep the international community happy and keep its people safe, Israel has played the fool.

Hamas Announces Cease-Fire With Israel to Begin Thursday
By AP Staff Writer

The Gaza Strip’s ruling Hamas militant group on Tuesday said it has reached a cease-fire with Israel meant to halt a violent cycle of Palestinian rocket attacks that have killed seven Israelis over the past year and Israeli reprisals that have killed more than 400 Palestinians.

Article Continues… (FoxNews.com)

If gambling was my thing, I’d probably start a pool on how long this will last…

Based on what I’ve seen over the last couple of years, I really think this truce will make things worse, as relaxing security around Gaza is NOT in Israel’s best interest.

Links:
Israel, Hamas agree to Gaza truce – Robert Spencer’s take on this is very interesting, and probably the most accurate.

Ramon: Truce a victory for radical Islam – Vice premier voices objection to Gaza truce deal, says it constitutes Hamas win

Palestinian leader urges new dialogue with Hamas
By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Wednesday for new dialogue with Hamas, in what appeared to be an about-face after insisting for a year that he would not talk with the Islamic militant movement unless it first gave up control of Gaza.

Article Continues… (breitbart.com)

Something big is going on here, I just can’t put my finger on it.

HT: Media Backspin