Rome, 13 August (AKI) - Remarks by Italian prime minister Romano Prodi that Hamas should be "helped so it works for peace" have been welcomed by the Palestinian group but have drawn criticism in Italy including from the country's Jewish community.

"Hamas exists and it is a very complex reality that we must help, so it works for peace" Prodi said speaking on Sunday.

The remarks were immediately condemned by Italy's centre- right opposition, but also by some in the premier's centre-left camp such as life senator and journalist, Furio Colombo.

"Hamas is fighting Abu Mazen (Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas) and those moderates in the PA government are not being helped by the legitimisation of their enemies", Colombo was quoted as saying in the Rome daily La Repubblica on Monday.

The president of Italy's Jewish community Renzo Gattegna, also slammed Prodi's comments, remembering that the premier had recently visited the Israeli city of Sderot which is frequently targeted by Qassam rockets fired by Hamas-linked militants in Gaza.

"Dialogue with everyone will be possible once there is willingness for dialogue, and not the desire for destruction, war and terrorism", Gattegna was quoted as saying in another Rome daily, Il Messagero.

He also urged Prodi not to deviate from the official line of the European Union and United States ruling out negotiations with Hamas unless the group complies with three conditions: recognises Israel; abandons violence; and, respects previous accords.

Hamas spokesman Fouzi Ibrahim welcomed what he described as Prodi's invitation to dialogue, and a signal that Italy "has left the American Umbrella" of influence.

Ibrahim also said that Prodi's remarks indicated a possible break or shift within the European Union with regards to Hamas and he invited the bloc's member states "not to surrender to the American administration that supports the terrorism of the Israeli occupation at the expense of the Palestinian people".