Some headlines and summaries from JTA

U.S. demands that Hamas abandon terrorism and recognize Israel are part of a new U.S. national security strategy.

"The opportunity for peace and statehood - a consistent goal of this administration - is open if Hamas will abandon its terrorist roots and change its relationship with Israel," says the document, released Thursday by the White House. The terrorist group was elected to a landslide victory on Jan. 25 but has yet to assume office. The 49-page strategy comes as Bush is under fire from critics for his strategy in Iraq and on terrorism.

The document also says that "we may face no greater challenge from a single country than Iran," citing its president's threats to do away with Israel.

'Gitmo' prisoners wrapped in Israeli flags

U.S. military interrogators wrapped prisoners at Guantanamo in Israeli flags, according to the FBI.

The revelation came during congressional testimony this week on tension between the FBI and the military over investigation tactics at the U.S.-held territory in Cuba, where detainees from U.S. operations in the Middle East are held. In newly declassified documents, the FBI sharply criticizes the military for "aggressive" tactics that it says were ineffective.

Among the tactics, outlined by Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), the Jewish ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee: showing prisoners gay porn, using strobe lights, playing loud music, turning up heat, and wrapping prisoners in Israeli flags.

Gen. Bantz Craddock, the chief of Southern Command, said the FBI reports did not amount to more than "allegations."

U.S.: We won't oppose China deal

The United States does not object to Israel's resumption of arms sales to China.

"We don't expect Israel to be selling dangerous things to China." Peter Rodman, an assistant U.S. secretary of defense, said at a hearing of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on Thursday.

The United States suspended its strategic dialogue with Israel for three years because of Israel's arms sales to China. It resumed late last year after Israel pledged to submit all its sales to U.S. review.

Israel announced the resumption of sales to China this month, about a year after it suspended them.

U.S. bill would fund Israeli security research

Israel is named as an ally in the war on terror in a U.S. congressional bill that would fund international cooperation for homeland security. The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security unanimously referred the bill on Wednesday to the full House, almost certainly guaranteeing its passage.

The funding for international cooperation would be at least 2.5 percent of the total U.S. research and development budget.

"Foreign partners shall include Israel, the UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and other allies in the global war on terror," says the bill, strongly backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Congress urges religious freedom in Russia

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution urging Russia to protect religious minorities.

The sense of Congress resolution passed 411-1 on Wednesday.

It is aimed particularly at protecting "unregistered" religions, particular non-Eastern Orthodox Christian groups, but cites attacks on all minority religions. Judaism is a registered religion, but Jewish targets have also been subject to attacks in recent years.

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