Did Obama’s team meet with Hamas before the election?
posted at 8:55 am on November 11, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Two Israeli newspapers print the claim from Hamas today that Barack Obama’s team met with the terrorist group before the elections. The Jerusalem Post and Ha’aretz both report that Hamas says it met with Obama advisers in the Gaza Strip before last Tuesday’s elections, after first having made connections via the Internet:
The Arab daily Al-Hayat on Tuesday quoted a senior Hamas official as saying that United States President-elect Barack Obama’s advisors met with members of the Palestinian militant group before the U.S. presidential election.
Ahmed Yusuf, a political advisor to Hamas’ Gaza leader Ismail Haniyeh, reportedly told the London-based paper that, “The connection was made via email and after that we met with them in Gaza.”
Al-Hayat reported that Yusuf also said the relations were maintained after Obama’s electoral victory last Tuesday. He said the president-elect’s advisors requested that the relations be kept secret so as not to aid his rival, Senator John McCain.
Thus far, neither newspaper has received a response from Obama or his staff about the story, with the Post noting the difference in time zones as the reason. Obama told American voters that he would not meet with Hamas until they renounced terrorism. If this story turns out to be true, then Obama lied to American voters during the campaign.
But is it true? Obama fired Robert Malley for having met with Hamas before coming onto Team Obama as a foreign-policy adviser. So far, only Hamas is making this claim, and anyone who follows the conflict in that region knows that Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations make a living off of highly dubious claims of influence and power. And what possible gain could Obama and his team have had in holding a meeting with Hamas before the election? Even if he was inclined to improve relations with Hamas as President, he wouldn’t be dumb enough to hold those meetings at a time that could have prevented his success on Election Day.
Color me skeptical on this story. It sounds like the blowhards at Hamas are doing what they normally do — trying to inflate their importance and influence among readers of Arab-language newspapers and spinning conspiracy theories for their own benefit.
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If not than, But it will happen soon…
twiggman on November 11, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Why would they have to meet. Hamas just needs to email their friend Obama with what they want. He is already committed to the betrayal of Israel.
bill30097 on November 11, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Yes Treason has a way of making people not want to vote for you. Is the LA Editorial staff mage up of Hamas memebers?
Tommy_G on November 11, 2008 at 9:01 AM
I predict the “meeting” will still be treated as fact by the anti-Obama rumor machine.
- Just like the muslim thing
- Just like the birth certificate thing
- Just like the gossip about his grandmother dying
- Just like the various Michelle Obama tapes that never surfaced in the end.
Will this election ever be over?
factoid on November 11, 2008 at 9:02 AM
They wouldn’t get away with this sort of thing with McCain because he doesn’t know how to e-mail.
Jeff on November 11, 2008 at 9:04 AM
But it also points out a fundamental weakness facing Obama. The level of distrust among those of us who are not idolizing the man for being multi-racial is high. There is room to question the bona fides of a terrorist group’s statement because the man about to take the American Presidency is not considered trustworthy by a good portion of the American people.
highhopes on November 11, 2008 at 9:05 AM
If our formerly free and independent press ever decides to actually do their job and research all the troubling connections from BHO’s campaign from ACORN to Hamas and beyond we would have a full blown constitutional crisis on our hands.
Would it not be sweet to see Axledouche and O’Bozo doing the perp walk?
Start by researching precinct by precinct results in Philly and Pittsburgh in case ANYONE is interested.
DeweyWins on November 11, 2008 at 9:06 AM
President-elect Hussein has an interest in these kinds of stories multiplying just so he can bat them down.
Glad to see he fired Malley.
Looks like the previous HA posters are drunk already this morning.
Akzed on November 11, 2008 at 9:07 AM
Before the election? I seriously doubt it. Even the crassest political calculation would show a huge potential downside for Obama with little or no upside.
Gilda on November 11, 2008 at 9:08 AM
I think I side with Ed, we all know what honest folks the guys at Hamas are.
I mean even that “spokesman” from Baghdad for Saddam would refuse their stuff.
kybowexar on November 11, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Doesn’t pass the sniff test.
BadgerHawk on November 11, 2008 at 9:12 AM
64 million fools and cultists voted for this impostor.
All Over.
1GooDDaDDy on November 11, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Ya they met. They had to get those suitcases full of campaign contributions over to him right?
katy on November 11, 2008 at 9:13 AM
What? You probably don’t believe that every single American over the age of 55 was at Woodstock either.
Limerick on November 11, 2008 at 9:13 AM
We have to avoid ODS.
lodge on November 11, 2008 at 9:13 AM
Probably not. But–could they. would they have done it behind his back? We have all seen how devious the Obama “team” is over the last couple years.(Keep noticing that it never seems to occur to me to type President-elect Obama–is this because of the length of it or for other reasons?hmmm!)
jeanie on November 11, 2008 at 9:15 AM
Then why is your “B.S. alert level” set to amber i.e. High?
aengus on November 11, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Actually we have been up all night drinking and snorting speed.
thomasaur on November 11, 2008 at 9:17 AM
FTFY
abinitioadinfinitum on November 11, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Still–it would be a giant coup for Him if he could pull off something in the Middle East–so, it’s certainly a possibility. Can’t trust any of the parties in this game, not Hamas, Hez, Israel or Obama. Nor, can they trust each other–there’s the rub!
jeanie on November 11, 2008 at 9:20 AM
I don’t know, after eight years of being told Bush was responsible for everything from 911 to Katrina to African AIDS epidemics, can’t I take a little time and believe this to be true?
Payback is a biotch and it’s time to pay the piper.
Bishop on November 11, 2008 at 9:22 AM
A couple of days ago Khaled Mashaal said Hamas was ready to talk with Obama.
Now they’ve decided to say they already had talks? They might be trying to force Obama’s hand, but they might as well just be pointing out the truth.
Phoenician on November 11, 2008 at 9:23 AM
True or not, we may never know.. one thing is for certain, the American Liberal Jews that voted for him will excuse his administrations actions…. they already have.
Shanda!
beththebaker on November 11, 2008 at 9:25 AM
They said they also have a tape of Michelle Obama calling Jerusalem “HymieTown”. As a Jew, I still haven’t gotten an answer – WHY DID JEWS VOTE FOR THIS MAN???
marklmail on November 11, 2008 at 9:25 AM
I don’t think this is being done to damage Obama – if it was they’d have leaked it before the election.
I take Ed’s point that this could be Hamas pretending to have more influence than they really do, but let’s remember: Obama is a fully paid-up lefty, steeped in the victimology of ‘oppressed’ peoples. Whatever he says in public, I believe he is much more sympathetic to the Arab case than the Israeli one. Also he would like to settle the problem to make life quieter for the US, even if that involves throwing the Israelis under the bus.
At least it looks like Netanyahu may be getting back in over there, so Obama won’t be able to roll him over.
EnglishMike on November 11, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Every President tries a middle east peace gig and they all fail.
lodge on November 11, 2008 at 9:27 AM
From one conservative Jew to another… (lansman)!
This issue has been the most frustrating for me.. i have lost family relationships over Obama.
beththebaker on November 11, 2008 at 9:27 AM
To paraphrase Newsweek…the story is wrong but the narrative is correct.
Caper29 on November 11, 2008 at 9:29 AM
sorry my cut & paste is acting up AGAIN! I meant
marklmail on November 11, 2008 at 9:25 AM
beththebaker on November 11, 2008 at 9:29 AM
awwwwwwww come on!!! there were just in
the same neighborhood.
tamtam20 on November 11, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Puh-lease, Obama’s already sizing up the Oval Office for prayer rugs. Hamas has been contracted to help frame and launch the Civilian Security Force. Victoria’s Secret is showcasing the new “PINK” Burka just in time to wear to the Innagural Ball.
Alden Pyle on November 11, 2008 at 9:31 AM
MSM: Yeah, So?
PappaMac on November 11, 2008 at 9:33 AM
There is also a perception, given some of his advisors (like Samantha Power) and associations (Rashid Khalidi, Rev. Wright), that he is pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel. And then there is the perception, based on his willingness to meet with the heads of states that sponsor terrorism, that he is soft on terror.
ProfessorMiao on November 11, 2008 at 9:33 AM
If only they could figure out how to crystalize Scotch.
Akzed on November 11, 2008 at 9:34 AM
I have a lot more faith in Israeli news papers that in do US ones…just a thought
katy on November 11, 2008 at 9:36 AM
I think we need to stay with the easy to prove items like his involvement in ACORN, voter fraud, and illegal campaign contributions. If we can prove his Hamas relationship, we can nail him for that later.
mindhacker on November 11, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Racist!
whitetop on November 11, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Was Obama dumb enough to say:
I will bankrupt the coal industry.
We need a civilial security force as powerful and well funded as the military.
I plan to redistribute wealth.
Yup!
I believe that this man is so arrogant that he believes that he can say and do anything and get away with it.
Obama: The single greatest reason for the second amendment.
The Rock on November 11, 2008 at 9:39 AM
cryptojunkie on November 11, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Btw, though it’s quoted by Israeli newspapers, the source is Al-Hayat, an Arabic newspaper.
Phoenician on November 11, 2008 at 9:41 AM
Yes—I find my self in the company of “American liberal” Jewish people quite regularly, and, in general, find them good company. Tired, though, of hearing about support for Israel from them when they don’t vote the way they speak. Apparently, we are all expected to support Israel but they don’t have to unless they feel like it. Ticks me off some!
jeanie on November 11, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Maybe Obama wants them as consultants in forming his ‘civilian police’ squad.
DCJeff on November 11, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Which is why Obama’s administration has a fundamental weakness when it comes to foreign policy. Too many of us don’t trust Obama or any of his closest advisors. Any initiatives or policy changes are going to be viewed through a very skeptical lens and that is going to hinder Obama. Once the initial euphoria and idiolization falls away, Obama is going have to work harder than GWB to convince the American public that he has the best interests of America at heart. Any misstep and all of Obama’s unsavory colleagues will re-emerge in the “narrative” once again and lead to another round of questioning Obama’s true motives.
Obama is far from powerless when it comes to foreign policy decisions but his inexperience and proclivity to hang out with anti-Semetic terrorists and “pastors” is not going to help him in the court of public opinion.
highhopes on November 11, 2008 at 9:48 AM
I would not be a suprise who this man or his people had a meeting with.Just wait until the people who voted for him find out what he is all about. It,s like Rush said he loves to see people who thought they were voting for good change find out what a foolish mistake they made.They were warned but would not listen.
thmcbb on November 11, 2008 at 9:54 AM
The MSM shapes public opinion. That was the reason he won the election.
thomasaur on November 11, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Hamas, the terrorist organization endorsed Obama openly, Iran sent written congratulations (the 1st US president to get such congratulations since the Islamic revolution), Hizbullah & Syria have shown their pleasure, and every tyrant and murdering psychopath in the world is giddy with his election, these so far are the facts. America is perceived as weak now, its new leader even weaker..
When the 1st words after his election from our dove leader Livni in Israel herself are concern over Obama’s Iran policies & that he may be perceived as ‘naive’, you can be assured of one thing, there is grave concern in this region, not only Israel – but the Arab regimes as well that this new President is indeed naive, & possibly reckless at the altar of liberalism, that he is fickle, his views change on a dime, that he panders to populism and will be a radical Muslim doormat at a critical time for the region, the US & the world.. These concerns are very real irrespective of what Newsweek or any other Obama propaganda mouthpiece has to say about it.
The new American President is both unproven & untested, he has no record, he has no deep convictions that anyone can decipher, he was not vetted, and the American media spent the last 2 years kissing his ass & getting him elected – The same media that spent the two years prior to that cheerleading America to lose its wars, and dump on its allies.. Yes the alert system internationally is lit up all right, it is lit up in concern that a weak American president will leave a power vacuum to be filled by Iran & terrorists as opposed to the world’s foremost democracy..
saus on November 11, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Too bad we will suffer along with them. Saying “I told you so” when you”re both lip deep in sh*t don’t help, it just stinks.
thomasaur on November 11, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Israel will not exist in 5 years.
angryed on November 11, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Isn’t it time for Team Obama to prove negatives?
fair’s fair
franksalterego on November 11, 2008 at 10:06 AM
I hope that Rev. Wright taught Barry the Biblical consequences of abandoning our friendship with Israel.
If he didn’t, “Rut Roh, Rooby-Roo.
kingsjester on November 11, 2008 at 10:11 AM
The last paragraph (with some modification) sounded really familiar.
It sounds like the blowhards at
Hamasthe DNC are doing what they normally do — trying to inflate their importance and influence among readersof Arab-languagenewspapers and spinning conspiracy theories for their own benefit.el rey on November 11, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Why would Obama not send someone to talk with Hamas? Is Hamas worse than Iran…NO..Does Obama have an aversion to terrorists…. Are you kidding? Furthermore, everyone who pays any attention at all knows that Obama will only support Israel rhetorically, and even that support is only for the Aushewitz borders. Let’s face it, the American people have deliberately chosed to ignore Obama moral equivalence between the US and terrorists; Obama’s voters agree that taking high percentages of income and assets from “rich” folks so that the non-rich can get it is OK.
Let’s not fool ourselves. The American people, Obama’s voters anyways, are either fools, or selfish, or purposefully ignorant… maybe all three; but in any case they certainly don’t give sh_t about the safety of the Jews
georgealbert on November 11, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Yes siree!
thomasaur on November 11, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Is it just me, or has anyone else noted the flood of lefty trolls here lately? I am soooooo tired of ‘moderates’ telling us to give The One a chance. Sorry, no can do. Already know who and what he is.
Sporty1946 on November 11, 2008 at 10:19 AM
The MSM influences public opinion and can sway sheeple for brief periods of time, which is why an inexperienced terrorist-sympathizer socialist with a 20-year record of working with a racist pastor is about to take office. In the long run, however, other factors also shape public opinion and Obama will quickly have a track record to defend. IMO, it’s going to be ugly as the facts work against the MSM “narrative.” I predict that ultimately the MSM is going to turn on Obama because public opinion will not allow them to continue their current role as his primary method of broadcasting propaganda.
highhopes on November 11, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Dittoes. Obama may be the President of the United States but he will never EVER be “my President.” Just a hate-filled placeholder until another leader shows up.
highhopes on November 11, 2008 at 10:34 AM
I wonder about this. That One has done so many dirty deeds before he won. I still think this election was rigged. So much cheating and intimidation. The Media kept throwing that scoundrel in our faces. I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if he did talk to Hamas. The money that they cannot prove where he got it. I will never give a liar a chance. Never. He is not my uh you know.
sheebe on November 11, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Im with you on this Ed, however, if it turns out to be true, can start recruiting for a well armed Civilian Militia?
Viper1 on November 11, 2008 at 10:41 AM
But Jimmy Carter (Jimuh-Kahtuh) said it was Okay. He doesn’t think Hamas is bad at all.
portlandon on November 11, 2008 at 10:49 AM
It was really not as bad as it sounds. Barry’s team thought they were going to vote for him, one of the 57 states….
DL13 on November 11, 2008 at 11:11 AM
“Thus far, neither newspaper has received a response from Obama or his staff about the story”…Well, SUR-PRISE SUR-PRISE! This is what we have to look forward to in an Obama administration: silence in response to legitimate questions about national security, etc.
Christine on November 11, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Why is it so hard to believe that Obama would be so reckless? It’s audacity–if true–, that trumps any aversion to recklessness, and since when has Obama not been able to put a spin on anything he’s been caught at before. Again, if true, I’d say it would be in keeping with Obama’s arrogance to have the urge again to behave recklessly and get away with it. You blow the whistle on the Obama team’s contact with Hamas, Obama denies it as another vicious attack, Helen Jones-Kelley investigates you, and you’re labeled as a raaaacist who’s part of the Republican smear machine.
under on November 11, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Well, we know Obama wouldn’t break a promise, now don’t we?
It may prove easier to keep a tally of the promises that he actually keeps than to try to enumerate the broken ones as time rolls on, and he’s not even in the damn office yet.
hillbillyjim on November 11, 2008 at 1:11 PM
1) Just like the Muslim thing?
It IS a FACT that Obama has been registered as a “Muslim” while a youth in school. Obama has also stated that he loved the call to Muslim Prayer.
There are other indications of Obama’s Muslim exposure that are facts, not fabrications. I’ve listed merely two.
That is not to say that Obama is currently a practicing Muslim. It is to say that the chatter regarding Obama and Islam is not without merit, as there IS factual evidence that he had more to do with Islam than merely having a course in school for a day, and more than most non-Muslims have.
In fact I heard Obama in an interview mention his “Muslim faith.” In that interview the host immediately “helped him out” by quickly correcting Obama with, paraphrasing, “You mean Christian faith,” to which Obama stated “Yeah. Christian faith.”
Nothing like a little help from a fawning press when it comes to Barrack Obama.
2) The birth certificate thing still has legs. The document that was claimed to have been exposed to the public was not an official birth certificate, but a document reporting the birth.
Till now there is no authentic, official birth certificate revealed to prove Obama’s citizenship or place of birth. Also, the claim that Obama’s Kenyan grandmother was attending the birth in Kenya can be argued, but it still has legs as well.
In other words, I don’t discount the US birth 100%, not do I discount the Kenyan birth. It does appear that there is cause to be concerned and that Obama and his handlers ARE using smoke and mirrors to hide his legitimate birth certificate/proof of birth.
3) Just like the gossip about his grandmother dying?
What gossip are you referring to?
4) Just like the various Michelle Obama tapes that never surfaced in the end?
Which tapes are you referring to?
I saw and heard Michelle Obama portraying her country, the USA, my country, as a mean country, and I heard her claim that she was not proud of her country. Why run for president, and why support a man who runs for president, of a country that is mean, and that you are not proud of?
Why is such a cynical person, with such contempt for my nation, the USA, treated with such love, while someone with love and service to the USA, like Sarah Palin, like the US military, like the Haditha Marines, like George W. Bush, and others, treated with such contempt and hatred?
Yes, there is plenty of evidence, in audio and video, as well as in print, such as Michelle Obama’s own words, betraying her contempt for the US, and for her fellow citizens.
It boggles the mind!
William2006 on November 11, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Don’t forget that Tony Blair- the Mid-East envoy- just said that he’d been talking to Obama for months about the situation there.
Jeremiah Wright published Hamas propaganda in his church newspaper.
And Obama’s close friendship with Khalidi has got to raise flags about his true intentions towards Israel.
As for the statement that Malley was fired before he was hired by Obama (?) he said himself he was advising Obama-
Mr Malley, a respected commentator on Middle Eastern issues and part of President Clinton’s negotiating team at the Camp David talks, has come under attack in recent months from right-wing bloggers. Yesterday, asked if Obama campaign was aware of his contact with Hamas, he said: “They know who I am but I don’t think they vet everyone in a group of informal advisers.”
Jay Mac on November 11, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Hussein, ready to LIE from day one!
christene on November 11, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Obama probably did hold secret talks with HAMAS. Because the first thing I would do to implement a two state solution is put pressure on Israel. Cuz God knows how obstinate and obtuse they’ve been compared to the peace-loving HAMAS-ites.
Andy in Agoura Hills on November 11, 2008 at 5:32 PM
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