Hamas won't recognize Israel...
September 22, 2006
But further down in the article we find out that:
But at this point having Hamas express a desire to split the land with Israel, an implicit recognition of Israel (duh), is an incredible first step for everyone in the region. Making recognition a starting point is standing on ceremony; an ending point. Hamas would become the PA and Islamic Jihad would gain Hamas' spot.
People are pissed. Hamas is now something like the middle. Negotiate with this deeply-flawed middle or send the impoverished, angry population into the arms of Islamic Jihad... Israel, do it for yourself.
Please bear with me and listen before posting comments and sending hate mail.
According to Fox News, Hamas has made this shocking announcement:
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said Friday he will not head a government that recognizes Israel, striking a potential blow to President Mahmoud Abbas' attempts to create a national unity government.Fine, fine. It's what Hamas has to do to be Hamas. To retain Hamas-cred.
But further down in the article we find out that:
Haniyeh said Hamas is ready to establish a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem  areas Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast War  and to honor a long-term truce with Israel.
"We support establishing a Palestinian state in the land of 1967 at this stage, but in return for a cease-fire, not recognition," Haniyeh said.Okay, so what we have here is a largely political rhetorical move. Hamas has retained its credibility and popularity by providing for the Palestinian people and by refusing to play footsie with Israeli governments without a real commitment to the peace process. As well as murdering innocent civilians in cold blood, of course. Which is hardly an afterthought.
But at this point having Hamas express a desire to split the land with Israel, an implicit recognition of Israel (duh), is an incredible first step for everyone in the region. Making recognition a starting point is standing on ceremony; an ending point. Hamas would become the PA and Islamic Jihad would gain Hamas' spot.
People are pissed. Hamas is now something like the middle. Negotiate with this deeply-flawed middle or send the impoverished, angry population into the arms of Islamic Jihad... Israel, do it for yourself.
