And Now Saudis Reject U.S. Plan to Isolate Hamas

asharqalawsat: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday became the second Arab ally in as many days to reject the U.S. strategy of financially isolating Hamas if the militant group does not moderate its policies as leader of the Palestinians.

As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sat nearby, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said through a translator, "We wish not to link financial assistance to the Palestinian people to issues other than their dire humanitarian needs."

A day earlier, Rice had stood by as Saud's Egyptian counterpart said it was premature to cut off aid to a Hamas-led government. Read more

db: The Americans have dug themselves an interesting hole regarding their [+ Israel's] rush to 'isolate' Hamas by cutting off external funding. With Iran pledging to step up - cheque book at the ready - its difficult to see where they are going to go with this and not look increasingly foolish.