JERUSALEM (AP) – A senior Israeli Defense Ministry official said Saturday that Israel would not grant free movement to newly elected Hamas members between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

“Israel does not need to authorize passage for someone who represents an organization of murder and terror that preaches for our destruction. Show me one country in the world that would allow this,”

said Amos Gilad, a senior Defense Ministry official, on Israel Radio.

Israel currently grants VIP crossing status between the West Bank and Gaza to top Palestinian Authority officials