The leader of Hamas is doing what terrorists do—threatening death and destruction, if Western countries don’t start pouring money into his blood-stained pockets again: Mashaal warns of ‘open battle’ with Israel, hatred of US. (Hat tip: LGF readers.)

Moscow - Hamas politburo leader Khaled Mashaal called Tuesday for ‘fundamental change’ in the Quartet of Mideast peace brokers and warned of ‘open battle’ with Israel and Islamic hatred toward the United States unless Washington resumes aid funding.

‘The Arab and Islamic world need a fundamental change in the politics of the Quartet,’ Mashaal said of the group of Russia, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, in remarks made during a Moscow visit and quoted by Interfax.

Mashaal added that the ‘Arab world demands’�the international community react positively to an agreement Hamas struck earlier this month with rival faction Fatah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, that promised to pave the way for a future Palestinian unity government.

Mashaal’s trip to Moscow marked the second time a Hamas delegation had traveled to the Russian capital since the militant group, ostracized by the West, took control of the Palestinian legislature in elections last year. …

Not backing from sharp rhetoric, Mashaal said during a press conference in Moscow Tuesday that the ‘refusal of Israel of our rights and the continuation of aggressive policies will lead the region to an open battle,’�Itar-Tass reported.

The Hamas leader added that Israeli-led construction near Jerusalem’s Temple Mount would end in a ‘bloody battle.’