Hamas can visualize peace with Israel

21. April 2006 Translated by me from Stern.de @
http://www.stern.de/politik/ausland/:Nahost-Hamas-Frieden-Israel/559888.html


The radical Islamic Palestinian government, Hamas, does not want to exclude peace with Israel - only under their condition. They don't want to know anything about rejecting suicide bombings.

Is the Hamas backing away from their declaration to destroy Israel? Khaled Maschaal, representative of the radical wing, is giving hints in this direction. He no longer wants to exclude a two-State solution as a peaceful solution, but only under the conditions of the current Palestinian government.

"It is up to Israel to change their position", says Maschaal. "Israel has to withdraw from territories which have been occupied since 1967. This includes: Recognizing Jerusalem as the capital city of Palestine and the right of Palestinian refugees to return as well as the removal of the jewish settlements, the destruction of the division wall and the release of all prisoners."

"Israel is waging State terrorism"
So far, the Hamas has rejected Israel's right to exist and has wanted to replace the Israeli government with an Islamic government. If Maschaal's demands are serious, then the Hamas would weaken their extreme path (meaning that it would become less extreme).

Regardless of this apparent compromis willingness of the Hamas, Maschaal defended with harsh words the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, with which 9 people were killed over Easter. The attack was an act of self-defense, claimed the Hamas chef in ARD. "Israel practices State terrorism", and the Palestinian people are defending themselves from it, according to Maschaal.

The Hamas leader critically views the stop of funds from the EU and other nations. "It would be a crime against Palestinians to punish Palestinians for their democratic choice to elect the Hamas", says Maschaal.

Russia, Iran and Saudi-Arabia are jumping in
Because of the shortage of funds to the Palestinian authorities, government employees and security forces cannot be paid. In the mean time, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Russia have promised financial support. Russia wants to transfer 10 million dollars for social and humanitarian needs.

The SPD State minister in foreign affairs, Gernot Erler, condemned the Russian transfer of funds and has demanded that Russia stop its payments. The justification of the suicide attack in Tel Aviv by the Hamas "must be a reason for Russia to rethink its announcement", said Erler in the "Netzeitung".

The Israeli government is examining, in the mean time, how it can avoid violence with the Hamas government. According to words from a army general, Israel could reoccupy parts of Gaza if violence across borders increases. "It is about a more aggressive military operation where we would possibly have to move into Gaza for a shorter or longer period if the violence continues", said major general Joaw Gallant.

Since the victory of the racial Israel-enemy Hamas through Palestinian elections, the number of rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel have increased noticably. The rockets rarely cause any damage but worry Israelis and cause fear.

"No one who practices terror can enjoy immunity"
The ex-Israeli secret service chef, Danny Jatom, recommends targetted attackes against the Palestinian government. As a justification for such, Jaton says that the radical-Islamic Hamas let government now has a militant extremist at the head of the security forces. "No one who practices terror can enjoy immunity, even if he is a government minister", according to Jatom.

Next to the new Palestinian security forces chef, Dschamal Abu Samhandana, are also other cabinet members legimite targets.

... and both sides are supporting terror. My guess is that Israel will gain more since it has more power and more support. Maschaal's argument is fair and just and Joaw Gallant's position is fair and best for Israel. Certainly, Palestinians responsible for killing innocent civilians must be brought to justice and let's not forget that Israelis elected 3 terrorists to Prime Minister. The best thing would be if both sides arrested their terrorists, rather than honoring them, while recognizing that both States exist as unoccupied nations.

Until they do, their claims that Israel is practicing state terrorism is striking me as a bit hypocritical...

Violet...

I think the best bet for ending the violence, for the moment, is Hamas attempts to form police & military units. If they succeed in that, they might actually be able to enforce order. Of course things will have to be worked out with Fatah first, and the Israeli government will have to allow it to happen, so it's far from a done deal. But still, now that Hamas is the boss, they at least have an interest in showing that they can run the show in an orderly fashion, and they probably have a better shot at dealing with IJ and the like than anyone else. Set a thief to catch a thief and all that.

It doesn't make sense to praise terrorism while criticizing others for practicing it.

This talk about peace and two-states is a fund-raising appeal, not an actual change in their vision or ultimate goal.

Every time they say or do something that indicates an attempt to mellow out a bit, it'll be met with howls of 'They don't really mean it!!!!!!'?

Violet...

... since many would ignore such claims anyway. Even if the Hamas denounced suicide bombings, like how Arafat did it, people would just accuse the Hamas of telling lies. Certainly, the Hamas cannot prove that it is against terror when it is blamed for the activities practiced by other groups and it certainly cannot completely stop such violence since we can't either.

It hit me today when I was going back through the archives and exactly the same stuff was being said about the PA back in the days of Arafat. Not that it means I think Hamas should just not bother acknowledging the existance of Israel or denouncing suicide bombings. I think it's important that they do, partly coz while Israel and the US will more than likely pretend they didn't, the rest of the world takes note of what's actually said...

Violet...

takes note of what's actually said instead of what's actually meant or actually done.

And it gets noticed that both Israel and the Palestinians say one thing and don't follow it up...

Violet...

a) there is this monolithic 'rest of the world' entity anyway, or that,

b) whatever this rest of world entity you are referencing for comfort is, that it is not itself immoral

of mellowing out to erase such suspicion.

...it is not possible to believe that the Hamas would have any reason to mellow out. So, we encourage them to behave the way that they behave and criticize them for behaving that way.

One day some official says one thing ,only to be contradicted the next day by some leader somewhere else.

They need some kind of `policy convention`so they can give out the `official` Hamas policy,without it changing message 180 degrees daily.

It's kind of like Sharon going one way and most of the rest of the Likud party going the other way. But sides face some pretty tough situations.