| Esmoreit said:This is kinda like a "what came first: chicken or egg?" story but I'd say that to solve the Hamas/fatah conflict Obama/ the Americans (actually, not just the Americans but also representatives of from the EU, Russias perhaps, etc) need to speak with Hamas.
Can we then assume that they will cease hostilities before the end of Barracks term? I don't think so. There's a constant spiral of violence there. I mean, after a ceasefire some local hamas supporter out of anger or whatever decides to go rogue and fire a few rocket on Israelian ground. Israel responds by blazing through a few refugee camps which instigates anger amongst Hamas who retaliates in full. On the other hand, during a ceasefire Israel at times takes the liberty to invade the westbank for instance to block tunnels after which Hamas responds with rocketfire (this was a few days ago by the way.) The world cannot expect any of both sides to stop on their own before peacetalks are underway. So I'd say, don't knock it before trying it. Just go in there, while rockets are flying to both sides of the border for all I care and get talking. See if it leads anywhere and perhaps we can build upon those talks to set fair precedents then. |
The US and the EU cannot negotiate with them, however, because Hamas is a terrorist group. Unless the political segment of Hamas can curtail the violence perpetrated by the al-Qassam Brigade, no diplomatic undertakings can commence. The conflict within the PNA will have to be solved by our allies in the region. Hitherto that ally has been Egypt. That is why the recent postponement of the meetings is most unfortunate. As Obama has stated, we simply cannot have diplomatic undertakings with Hamas unless they denounce violence and recognize Israel’s right to exist. The news from certain Hamas leaders that it is willing to “accept” Israel and has laid out a tentative peace plan is encouraging, but they need to build upon that. I wish Hamas did not perpetrate and advocate violence. It has an extensive social care network that is admirable.
