Hamas Fumes Over 5th Muslim Country to Forge Ties with Israel

Hamas livid after Kosovo establishes diplomatic relations with Israel, the fifth Muslim country in as many months.

By Yakir Benzion, United With Israel

The Hamas terror organization fumed Wednesday after Kosovo became the fifth Islamic nation to establish peaceful diplomatic relations with Israel following the signing five months ago of the historical Abraham Accords in Washington.

Kosovo joins the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco, which all normalized ties with Israel in the past few months, joining Egypt and Jordan who made peace with Israel decades ago.

Seven predominantly Muslim countries in the region are now formally at peace with Israel, a fact that tortures the Hamas terror group, which continues to call for Muslims to wage a holy war to defeat Israel.

“We denounce and condemn Kosovo’s signature of a relationship agreement with the occupation and its request to open an embassy for it in the city of Jerusalem,” tweeted Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem. “This request violates all international resolutions and humanitarian charters.”

“This decision by a country like Kosovo comes with encouragement from the normalization steps that some Arab parties have taken with [Israel],” Qassem said, frustrated that yet another Muslim country had bypassed the Palestinians.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi called the establishment of ties an exciting historical step as he signed the papers in Jerusalem, while his counterpart in Kosovo, Foreign Minister Meliza Haradinaj, did the same via video link. Ashkenazi then unveiled the new plaque that will be mounted when Kosovo formally opens its new embassy in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital.

“The establishment of relations between Israel and Kosovo is an important and exciting historical step that reflects the many changes the region has experienced in recent months,” Ashkenazi said at the ceremony marking the establishment of diplomatic relations.

“Today, Kosovo officially joins the circle of countries that strive for peace and stability and recognize Israel and Jerusalem as its capital.

“Kosovo’s decision to join the circle of countries fighting antisemitism who have adopted the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism is conclusive proof of the important alliance between peoples and cultures,” he said, adding “I sincerely hope that Kosovo will continue to operate in this way of peace and war against extremists, and will also work to recognize Hezbollah and all its branches as a terrorist organization.”