Young supporters of Hamas take to the streets waving Palestinian and Hamas flags to celebrate the Islamist movement's historic victory in the second ever general election yesterday in the southern Gaza Strip refugee camp of Khan Yunes. (Source: China Daily/AFP)

Israeli emergency cabinet meeting decided Thursday night that Israel would not negotiate with Hamas until it renounced violence and recognized Israel's right to exist.

Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert convened the meeting to discuss the government's plans for dealing with the Hamas's surprising victory in Wednesday's Palestinian legislative elections.

Cabinet members also urged the United States and European Union to support Israel and apply pressure on Hamas, according to Israeli Channel 10 TV.

Earlier in the day Olmert instructed the ministers not to make any public statements concerning the Hamas win. Enditem