A secular Jewish group in Vancouver, Jews for a Just Peace, has asked the Conservative government to recognize the recently elected Hamas government of Palestine. Israel and the U.S. government have refused to do so, claiming that Hamas is a "terrorist organization".

According to Jews for a Just Peace, the refusal of these governments to acknowledge Hamas as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people is "hypocritical". Stephen Aberle, a member of Jews for a Just Peace, told the Straight that Hamas has been elected through a free and fair election in the presence of international observers. "For me, U.S. President George W. Bush is also a war criminal, but we recognize him as the elected representative of the American people," Aberle said.

The Kadima party, founded by Ariel Sharon and now headed by Ehud Olmert, won the most seats in the March 28 Israeli election.

Jews for a Just Peace issued a statement last February stating that western nations have required the establishment of democratic procedures in the Middle East as a condition for negotiation. However, in the case of the Hamas victory, Jews for a Just Peace pointed out that the western countries have reserved the right to decide which democratic procedures were to their liking.

Aberle said that he is not a supporter of Hamas, but he noted that the Hamas government has shown a desire for achieving lasting peace.