Carter: Hamas will accept Israel as neighbour

FORMER US president Jimmy Carter said yesterday that Hamas — the Islamic militant group that has called for the destruction of Israel — is prepared to accept the right of the Jewish state to “live as a neighbour next door in peace”.

But he warned that there would not be peace if Israel and the US continue to shut out Hamas and its main backer, Syria.

Carter spoke in Jerusalem after meeting last week with Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal and his deputy in Syria.