GAZA – Hamas harshly criticized on Thursday a comment by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the US will not recognize Palestinian government unless the Islamic movement recognizes Israel. ‘We will not deal with or in any way fund a Palestinian government that includes Hamas unless and until Hamas has renounced violence, recognized Israel and abided by earlier agreements with Israel, Clinton told the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives on Wednesday. Clinton said that for now, the US would not discourage unity talks between the Hamas and its main rival Fatah. ‘We want to leave open the door that that can happen, she said, referring to the possibility Hamas may change its positions. ‘We’re not betting on it. On Thursday Hamas slammed these remarks as ‘failed blackmailing attempt to pressure Hamas in way that would satisfy the desires the Zionist Lobby that controls the decisions of the US administration. Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said, ‘These statements is a sliding in wrong direction [toward the] policies of the previous US administration of [President George W] Bush and [Secretary of State Condoleezza] Rice. ‘These statements totally contradict with Obama’s statements about freedom […]