Again, the international media and many Western government are jumping the gun, and mistaking Hamas’ efforts to secure financial aid as an indication the terror group is suddenly ready to abandon its core positions and live in peaceful coexistence with Israel.
The source of the misguided enthusiasm this time is news of an imminent Palestinian Authority unity government, under the terms of which Hamas appears to be indirectly recognizing the Jewish state.
But it is not peace that is driving this move. Rather it is the crushing economic sanctions the PA has been living under since Hamas took over the government in January. Hamas has seen its popularity plummet after being unable to pay over 150,000 PA employees for the past half year. The group is desperate to secure funds. But certainly not desperate enough to renounce the virulent hatred for and brutal violence against Israel that brought it to power.
Asked by Israel’s Army Radio if Hamas’ implicit acceptance of negotiations with Israel signalled an “end to the conflict,” Hamas government spokesman Ghazi Hamad said Tuesday:
“That’s not what we’re saying. We have no problem accepting a state with the 1967 borders.” However, “We are not willing to recognize Israel. This is our country.”
A day earlier, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Ha’aretz:
“We would like to have the embargo lifted, but we will not surrender to external dictates and we will not agree to sacrifice the interests and rights of the Palestinian people.”
The left-wing Israeli newspaper also noted that the draft unity government proposal also provides for Hamas to reject any previous agreements between Israel and the PA that it feels do not “serve Palestinian interests.” And while it does call for a halt to acts of terror inside sovereign Israel, the deal gives a green light for continued violence against Jews living in Judea and Samaria.
Unfortunately, the international community, and in particular the mainstream media, continue to see only what they want to see, rather than listening to what Hamas has to say or actually reading the documents that are purportedly forming the base of future peace and stability.
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9 comments so far ↓
1 Nathan // Sep 13, 2006 at 6:26 am
“That’s not what we’re saying. We have no problem accepting a state with the 1967 borders.” However, “We are not willing to recognize Israel. This is our country.” - Ghazi Hamad. The Hamas and the Pals can’t claim something that was never theirs. They complain that they want thier 67′ borders back. Boo hoo. Guess what thats never going to happen. Lets for one moment pretend that Israel said “…ok, lets do it! you want 67′ borders, you got it!”. But then in reality the gaza strip would be turned over to the government of Egypt because prior to 1967 Egypt owned and the gaza strip was apart of Egypt. So that alone gets rid of that arguement. The same applies for the west bank. If anything pretending for a moment again that Israel left the west bank it would be turned over to Jordan. Palestine has never been anything more than a frame of mind. How are the Pals any different than Al-Qaida? So they have their own civilian population, who cares? Put that aside and they are no different. The United Nothingness has created a legit terror state right next to Israel, and they allow sponsors of terror like Iran to puppet about the earth. Wow what a great time!
2 Victor Passenheim // Sep 13, 2006 at 11:23 am
Nathan, thank you for telling it like it is!!!
If only people were half-willing to accept the truth, the world would be a much more peaceful place because terror loving entities would be put in their place.
3 Charles Wesley // Sep 14, 2006 at 4:27 am
In all the vast areas of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia
and the African nations there is no room for the Palestinian people. No body wants them . They are being used like Hamas and Hezbollah to fight against Israel and funded only for that purpose. The Arab oil nations could support the Palestinians like Kuwait supports its people. They only pay for suicide bombers and weaponry. The Bible says the decendants of Ishmael will rule like wild men and hostile to their brothers. Don’t trust them and give up no land Israel.
4 Marsha Carol Watson // Sep 14, 2006 at 5:51 am
It is with GREAT JOY that I am announcing tonight that it does not matter who will not accept Israel as a State, a Nation or a People.
The Fact is: GOD DOES AND NO ONE ELSE MATTERS>
God will NEVER forsake Israel and His Chosen People.
Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
marsha
5 Chistrian dude // Sep 14, 2006 at 10:56 am
And they are always writtiing in the end of every paragraph——–GOD CHOSEN PEOPLE!! WHAT DOES IT MEAN??
6 Keith Dawid // Sep 14, 2006 at 11:15 am
ONLY THE USEFUL IDIOTS OF THE WORLD WILL FALL FOR THEIR RUSE !!
7 Charles Wesley // Sep 15, 2006 at 2:44 am
Read the Bible ,it predates the Koran by thousands of years. The Bible was not written to counter the belief of an enemy real or imagined. Dude it is very clear that you have no knowledge of the Bible. The Islamic faith seems to be written out of jealousy. God is in control of everything. He explained the insanity of the Muslims and the blessings he put on Ishmael s bunch as well as the (covenant) he made with the seed of Isaiah both the sons of Abraham . God chose the seed of Isaiah (Jew’s) to be his people and has not repented of it.
8 citizen zero // Sep 16, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Nathan, while I agree with much of the sentiment of your comments, remember that Egypt and Jordan formally renounced their respective claims upon Gaza and the West Bank, presumably to facilitate a future Palestinian state (or because no one wants anything to do with these terrorists).
1967 borders probably are not a realistic expectation. Still, it might be interesting to see what would occur if Israel called this Arab bluff and said ok to the idea in principle. While I suspect that the goal-post would then move to the 1948 borders - or right into the sea - maybe this approach could open serious, comprehensive dialogue. Or it would expose yet again the unwillingness of the Arab world to accept any Jewish state in Israel.
9 Nathan // Sep 21, 2006 at 1:56 am
I agree Citizen Zero. But I must blame Egypt and Jordan for allowing the Pals to live in those areas even afterwards. The United Nations allowed the Pals to live in limbo and no actions against Egypt and Jordan who should have taken the Pals back to their respective countries. The problem is the Arabs can never be serious about peace in the modern era because they are still in the 12th century. NO other people on earth have their religon control so many aspects of life.
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