Dalai Lama: Hamas must be more 'realistic' and reject violence [View All]

Last update - 11:15 16/02/2006

Dalai Lama: Hamas must be more 'realistic' and reject violence

By Lior Kodner, Haaretz Correspondent

The Dalai Lama, who arrived in Israel for his fourth visit Wednesday, said it was "to early to say" whether Israel should talk to Hamas.

"I think we should wait and see," he added, appealing to Hamas to turn away from violence and to approach the situation "more realistically."

"After 50 years the time has come to think and to find a way for dialogue. The Israelis have to respect the Palestinians and vice-versa. There is readiness for dialogue on both sides, so really, the time has come," he aid.

The Dalai Lama said the purpose of his trip was to bring human beings closer, and the fact that neither Israeli nor Palestinian officials had agreed to meet with him did not seem to bother him.

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