NEW YORK, June 20 (UPI) -- The American Jewish Committee praised Secretary of State Colin Powell Friday for calling Hamas an "enemy of peace" during his Middle East visit.
"Secretary Powell did not mince words," said David Harris, executive director of the AJC. "He labeled Hamas for what it is – a terrorist organization -- and has appropriately placed the onus on the Palestinian Authority to bring an end to the Hamas terror network."
During his trip, Powell called on Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas to "end violence and the capacity for violence."
Since the Aqaba, Jordan, summit June 4, more than 60 Israelis and Palestinians have been killed in bombings and shootings.
For the peace plan to work, Powell said Palestinian security forces must take action to disarm militant groups. The New York Times reported as long as Hamas is committed to violence, Powell said, "This is a problem we have to deal with in its entirety."
