Meshaal's cordial visit to Jordan helps open 'new page' in relations Media Mention of Hussein Ibish In The National - January 30, 2012 - 1:00am JERUSALEM // The leaders of Hamas have never been known for globetrotting or an appetite for diplomatic fanfare. They were confined to the Gaza Strip, unable to leave because of the Israeli blockade of the coastal enclave. Or, if they were among the clutch of senior Hamas officials based in Damascus, they maintained a low profile to avoid testing the patience and straining the hospitality of their Syrian hosts. Those days are gone. » Read more