-Hilary Leila Krieger
US Middle East Envoy George Mitchell [pictured with President Obama] expressed support for Egyptian efforts to forge a Palestinian national unity government, indicating that America could take a new tack on Fatah-Hamas reconciliation, during a conference call with Jewish leaders.
Mitchell said that until now divisions among the Palestinians have been a major obstacle to bringing peace to the region, according to representatives of Jewish organizations who participated in the call. The 45-minute call was on the record but not open to the media.
It is seen as a sign that this US administration might be willing to talk to Hamas.
[Jerusalem Post]
US Middle East Envoy George Mitchell [pictured with President Obama] expressed support for Egyptian efforts to forge a Palestinian national unity government, indicating that America could take a new tack on Fatah-Hamas reconciliation, during a conference call with Jewish leaders.
Mitchell said that until now divisions among the Palestinians have been a major obstacle to bringing peace to the region, according to representatives of Jewish organizations who participated in the call. The 45-minute call was on the record but not open to the media.
It is seen as a sign that this US administration might be willing to talk to Hamas.
[Jerusalem Post]
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4 comments:
Israel did not wipe Hamas off the face of the earth. It is naive and shortsighted to think they can be ignored during any initiatives now. But again, I believe if the West includes them and makes many demands of the Palestinians and sticks by them, then if Hamas interferes, it will be evident to the Palestinians and other interested Arab parties, that they are the cause of the impasse.
Then i am proud to be naive and shortsighted. The idea of taking a broken and severely weakened Hamas and patching them up is the height of folly.
I agree that we do not need to patch them up, prop them up, or in any way provide any aid. But unless they were destroyed (they weren't) or are voted out (hopefully), they cannot be ignored.
They can not be voted out as they do not hold elections...they only recognize one election [the one that put them in power] and would not risk another.
US policy should not be to ignore Hamas, but rather to squeeze them and ultimately defeat them...we don't ignore al-Qaeda, but seek their demise. Hamas is the equivalent.
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