We must talk with Hamas

By Gush Shalom
Global Research, January 27, 2006
Gush Shalom press release 27 January 2006
Region:
In-depth Report:

-We must talk with Hamas; they also can be partners

-The crucial choice: deterioration and ever more bloodshed  or the opening towards a firm peace of which Hamas is part.

-The choice depends both on Hamas and on Israeli government

The government of Israel had dozens and even hundreds of opportunities to negotiate with Fatah and Abu Mazen, and it persistently avoided all of them. But, it is no use crying over spilled milk.

The Palestinian people managed to hold fair, democratic elections under international supervision, in spite of the hard conditions of living under a regime of occupation and oppression, and the Israeli military raids which continued until the election day itself.

The parlaiament elected in these elctions, and the cabinet which will get the confidence of the parliament will be the representatives of the Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem – authorized to represent them in any negotiations – just like the Knesset and the government of Israel represent the Israeli people.

The Hamas victory carries both great risk and enormous chance – for both peoples. On the one hand, there is now a read danger of cutting off all conatct and relation between the two sides, leading to chaos and increased bloodshed. On the other habd, there is also a historical chance to achieve peace, a more firm peace of which the Hamas – with its leaders, supporters and voters – will be full partners. The choice which of these possibilities will materialize depends on the decisions taken by the Hamas leadership in the coming days and weeks – but at least as much by the decision taken by the government of Israel.

The State of Israel has conducted negotiations with the PLO long before its Covenant was officially abolished, not did it wait for its abolition before signing an agreement with the PLO and starting implementation on the ground. The very holding of negotiations has rendered the Covenant meaningless. The same is true for the Hamas Covenant: the holding of talks between a Hamas-led government and the State of Israel will constitute mutual recognition – by the Hamas movement of the existence of Israel and by Israel of the Palestinian government also when formed by the Hamas.

Adam Keller +972-3-5565804
Uri Avnery  +97250-5306440

The original source of this article is Gush Shalom press release
Copyright © Gush Shalom, Gush Shalom press release, 2006

Comment on Global Research Articles on our Facebook page

Become a Member of Global Research

Articles by: Gush Shalom

Disclaimer: The contents of this article are of sole responsibility of the author(s). The Centre for Research on Globalization will not be responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article. The Centre of Research on Globalization grants permission to cross-post Global Research articles on community internet sites as long the source and copyright are acknowledged together with a hyperlink to the original Global Research article. For publication of Global Research articles in print or other forms including commercial internet sites, contact: [email protected]

www.globalresearch.ca contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available to our readers under the provisions of "fair use" in an effort to advance a better understanding of political, economic and social issues. The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving it for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material for purposes other than "fair use" you must request permission from the copyright owner.

For media inquiries: [email protected]