Hamas: "Israel" Picked Most Extremist, Dangerous Politician to Lead It

A Hamas spokesman on Friday said ‘Israel' had picked the "most extremist and most dangerous" to lead the country, only hours after Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu accepted a mandate to form its next government.

The choice of Netanyahu "does not herald a period or peace or stability in the region," AFP quoted Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum as saying.

Another Hamas official on Friday branded both Netanyahu and his rival, Kadima leader Tzipi Livni, as enemies of the Palestinians. "Hamas doesn't differentiate between Netanyahu and Livni, they are all hostile toward the Palestinian people and they are all terrorists," Hamas official Ismail Redwan told Al-Jazeera. "Tasking Netanyahu with forming the government is a lesson for those who had hoped for peace."

Before last week's election, Netanyahu pledged to topple Hamas from power in Gaza if elected prime minister.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said any future Israeli government that doesn't accept the establishment of a Palestinian state and continues settlement building will not be a partner. "We will not be in the negotiations for the sake of negotiations," Erekat said.