JERUSALEM, Jan. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Labor Party chairman Amir Peretz said on Thursday that his party does not consider Hamas a partner for peace negotiations, shortly after the Islamic group claimed victory in the Jan. 25 Palestinian legislative elections.

  ; The Labor chairman said his party "will not negotiate with an entity that is a terror organization. Hamas is not a partner because of its course of action and beliefs and it undermines stability in the Middle East."

   Israel lists Hamas as a terrorist organization.

   "We have no intention to allow negotiations to take place, or let someone else force us to recognize an organization that declares it seeks to destroy Israel," Peretz said.

   Peretz added that the new reality requires the United States and the European countries to clarify their stance.

   Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will convene a special meeting with defense chiefs Thursday evening to discuss the apparent Hamas victory in the elections, Israel Radio reported.

   The meeting will include Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Enditem