More and more European diplomats are insisting that Israel must talk with Hamas. The latest in the growing line is Britain’s foreign minister, who doesn’t seem to read reports like this:
Hamas official Ayman Taha in Gaza said Abbas’s comments undermine chances for reaching a unity agreement.
“We reject any pre-conditions in the formation of the unity government. Hamas will never accept a unity government that recognizes Israel,” Taha said.
The Obama administration said it was just fine to include Hamas in a Palestinian unity government. But they don’t seem to be noticing Hamas’ refusal to play by the PA rules, and lie about their intentions towards Israel:
Hamas rejected Saturday U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s remarks that a successful Palestinian reconciliation process must include recognition of Israel by Hamas.
“Hamas will not recognize Israel or the Quartet’s conditions, and Clinton’s statement is not acceptable to the Palestinian people,” said Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan.
Well, that’s going to be a tough one for Clinton.
Jimmy Carter said Hamas can be trusted. He says they want peace. And he ignores, over and over again, Hamas’ words to the contrary.
On Thursday, fourteen peace negotiators published an open letter in the Times of London and Der Speigel, insisting that Israel needs to talk to Hamas. There is, as usual, an Israeli dove involved.
“We have learnt first-hand that there is no substitute for direct and sustained negotiations with all parties to a conflict, and rarely if ever a durable peace without them.”
Former Israeli Foreign Minister Ben-Ami told SPIEGEL ONLINE the letter was directed equally at the European Union and the United States, but also at Israel. “Israel has to start thinking outside the box. I can recall the case of the Palestine Liberation Organization. The PLO didn’t recognize Israel as a precondition, but as a result of the Olso process. The same should happen with Hamas.”
I don’t think Hamas is on message. Let me repeat that quote for you:
“Hamas will not recognize Israel or the Quartet’s conditions, and Clinton’s statement is not acceptable to the Palestinian people,” said Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan.
Right. Talk to Hamas. Because it will achieve—well, talking. And talking to your enemies is always a good thing, according to the new conventional wisdom. Of course, conventional wisdom is quite often wrong. And always, in the case of Israel, it seems.