Defying U.S. and Israeli policy shunning Hamas as a terror group, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter warmly embraced a leader of Hamas during a visit to the West Bank. Israel accused Carter of dignifying “extremists.” Carter was on a private peace mission to the Middle East. His itinerary also included stops in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Syria, where the virulently anti-Israel Hamas movement is headquartered and then return to Israel. White House has criticised him for his willingness to meet Hamas leaders. Carter says the U.S. and Israel should stop isolating the Islamic group. “Since Syria and Hamas will have to be involved in a final peace agreement, they have to be involved in discussions that lead to final peace,” Carter said in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Carter also deviated with the US policy and laid wrath on the grave of Yasser Arafat. Bush had not visited Arafat’s grave when he visited Ramallah this year.