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Originally Posted by Bleeding Red
the positive note - They want to work with Abbas & Fatah within the government to improve life in the PA.
The negative notes - They have no interes in, nor intend to: a) recognize the State of Israel; B) Negotiate with Israel; C) give up 'the armed struggle'/terrorism
C is clearly the problem. Hamas will not disarm. As for A & B, well Israel and the US will not recognize or negotiate with them either, so the feeling is mutual.
The Israeli elections are in March. Olmert (PM) will probably move forward with the "complete disengagement (finish the security fence, evacuate some small J&S communities)' platform. His main opponent on the left has already said he will not negotiate with Hamas, but will also continue the disengagement. On the right, they will play this as "see what running away did, our enemies went and elected the terrorists!" The hard-liners see disengagement as a reward for terrorism.
Now is the time for the international community to step up and pressure Hamas to renounce terrorism and disarm by witholding monetary aid.
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Again, that's the beauty of a democractic vote like this . . . . . you put the terrorists in charge, the guys who refuse to negotiate, and the excuses start to come off the table.
If Hamas is lobbing missiles into Israel then its no longer a bunch of wingnuts off on their own doing something . . . . . it's sponsored by the state with all the consequences that come with that.
That puts them on the same footing as Israel whom left wing critics say are guilty of provocations and atrocities on the other side of the argument.
In the end, its probably progress even if they're initially promising not to talk with each other.
Cowperson