ABC News on Hamas: 'Considered a Terrorist Organization by Washington'

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During a World News report on American options in the aftermath of Hamas’ violent takeover of Gaza last week, ABC’s Dean Reynolds on Monday got out the ten-foot pole to describe the group whose suicide bombers have killed numerous Americans in Israel as well as hundreds of Israeli civilians: “Now that Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by Washington, has taken command in Gaza, some things are becoming painfully clear about the Bush administration’s course of action up to this point.”

“Considered a terrorist organization by Washington”?! That’s an echo of the formula favored by the late Peter Jennings, who in 2002 referred to the group that blew up the Marine barracks in Beirut this way: “The Bush administration says Hezbollah is a terrorist organization.” As if it’s only our government’s biased opinion.

Reynolds also tweaked the Bush administration for turning on the financial aid spigot now that Hamas, the “fair and square” winners of last year’s election have been excluded from the Palestinian government: “The new government excludes Hamas, even though Hamas was elected fair and square a year and a half ago. This new Palestinian government is headed by a prime minister whose party won all of three percent in that election.”

Reynolds made no mention of the not-so-democratic way Hamas gunmen allegedly executed their Fatah rivals in Gaza last week by tossing them off of rooftops and shooting them in the street.

If you’re not sure how to classify Hamas, check out this YouTube video posted by the Palestinian Media Watch. It shows very young children, some that look to be about 10 years old or younger, being groomed to be suicide bombers. Here’s how it is described on the site:

A Hamas video encouraging the participation of children in terrorism has been broadcast on Hamas TV. The video, which focuses on Ahmed Yassin, Hamas founder and religious leader killed by Israel, portrays young children as the continuation of Yassin. Children are shown in uniforms, holding rifles and participating in military training. The lyrics stress the children's connection to Yassin: ‘Even though they killed our [Ahmad] Yassin, the land will grow a thousand Ahmad.’