Send Page to a Friend JCRC Responds to Hamas Victory in Palestinian Election (Boston January 26, 2006) Nancy K. Kaufman, Executive Director and Susan A. Calechman, President of the Jewish Community Relations Council issued the following statement today in response to the news that the radical Islamic terrorist organization Hamas won a large majority of seats in elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council. "This is a sad day for democracy for the Palestinian people.  Hamas' victory is a devastating development and signals a serious crisis in the quest to achieve peace in the Middle East.  Hamas' radical Islamist platform, echoed in recent days in campaign statements by its senior leadership, calls for killing Jews, destroying the State of Israel and replacing it with a radical Muslim theocracy.  Hamas is classified by the U.S. as a terrorist organization and has staged 58 suicide bombings against Israeli civilian targets in the past five years, killing hundreds of Jews, Christians and Muslims. We support democracy, a better life for the Palestinian people and a peace process that produces security and independence both for Israel and the Palestinians.  This goal is now in jeopardy with the results of the election and the take over by Hamas. This development also underscores Israel's need to act to protect its security, even through unilateral measures.  The Palestinians cannot have it both ways; with Hamas in power, there will be no possibility of peace and reconciliation. We welcome President Bush's commitment to reject any negotiations with Hamas until it renounces its goal to destroy Israel.  We urge the European Union and the United Nations to follow suit."