Inter-Parliamentary Union Apologizes for Hamas Invitation, Participation

Responding to a letter in which Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin threatened the Knesset’s withdrawal from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) due to Hamas’ participation in a committee meeting on human rights, IPU secretary-general Anders Johnsson apologized and said he intends to honor his pledge and ban the terrorist organization from participating in any future activities.

Johnsson explained that Hamas members came as part of a Palestinian delegation to discuss Israel’s treatment of Palestinian prisoners. He apologized for the fact that the Palestinian delegation manipulated the meeting with its own agenda, but added that the committee rejected many of the Palestinians’ contentions.