James R. HenryJan 22nd, 2007 - 15:46:45

Perhaps once Israel recognized Palestine's right to exist?

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Adam LJan 22nd, 2007 - 16:35:45

In security negotiations there is a subtle difference between implict and explicit negitiations. While an implicit recognition of Israel by Hamas would be a positive step it would only be a partial solution. Still, it is positive that Israel is making this overture.

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David HoffmanJan 22nd, 2007 - 16:46:47

Hamas = Islamic Radicalism and Fundamentalism, Intolerance of Jewish Presence in Israel, Dedication to Destruction of the Jewish Polity

Recognition of Israel = Islamic Liberalism (oxymoron?), Tolerance of Jewish Presence of Israel, Acceptance of Maintenance of the Jewish Polity

Hamas can never recogize Israel and give up its goal of bringing about Islamic domination of the land on which Israel sits, because then it would cease to be Hamas. From the Hamas perspective, hudna (ceasefire) is not recognition of the opposing party's right to live and breathe; it's a re-arming period.

The previous writer's comment as to the obligation of Israel to 'recognize Palestine' is superfluous, as Israeli governments, on the right and on the left, have announced (for better or worse) that they are dedicated to the establishment of a 'Palestinian' state. Mahmoud Abbas recently stated that there would never be acceptance of a provisional state, and that all issues must be resolved before a 'Palestinian' state would be implemented.

Therefore, it is not Israel's lack of 'recognition' of 'Palestine' that has hindered the process of creating a 'Palestinian' state, but the insistence by 'Palestinian' officials that no state would be accepted until final status negotiations are conducted and resolved. Thus, until the 'Palestinians' have resolved to their satisfaction the issues of final borders, final status of Jerusalem, final status of 'Palestinian refugees', etc., they will not accept the implementation of a 'Palestinian' state. Recognition by Israel is not the rate-limiting factor.

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EricJan 22nd, 2007 - 16:51:16

James R Henry are you an idiot? Israel keeps calling for a two state solution. They left Gaza and want peace. And what do the Palestinians do? They fire missiles at the Israeli civilians.

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looperville2000@yahoo.co.ukJan 22nd, 2007 - 16:54:29

I hope this bears fruit. As I'm sure it could - if only Western commentators stopped deliberately choosing to assume the worst possible (most murderous) interpretation of all calls to 'erase Israel from the map.'

Such is the unfairness of land distribution in the Holy Lands - ever since Britain's cack-handed meddling there following WW2 - that Palestinians are far from alone in feeling that Israel - as presently constituted...! - should be 'erased' and the whole region's political map be re-drawn to accommodate a legitimate Palestinian homeland - alongside a newly constituted Israel...!

No need to talk of killing - or PRESUME genocidal cleansing...! Why not confound the war-mongers and propose civilized changes the civilized way, instead...?

John Jay

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unbelievableJan 22nd, 2007 - 16:55:22

'Perhaps once Israel recognized Palestine's right to exist?'

Precisely backwards.

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JosephJan 22nd, 2007 - 16:58:03

No only since the 90s has Israel recognized an establishment of a Palestinian entity. In those negotiations especially when Netanyahu was in charge it was VERY clear that this wasn't a 'formal state'. Recently with newest israeli gov't they have actually started to use the words of a formal state, but even that is not defined.

The concept of a recognition of the other is stupid anyway. Its an immaterial argument, what does it mean? We recognize you? It is irrelevant you are there. Doesn't mean you are there forever as the world has shown. If the US recognized Mexico, what does it mean? If it was in our intrest to take parts of mexico we would.

you do not have to recognize or even like each other to have a peace agreement. you just have to recognize you are willing to end hostilities for at least the time being. The recognition of sovereignty is hardly something Israel excels at.

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sonnyjoeJan 22nd, 2007 - 17:00:53

I would like to believe that many of the moderate Hamas leaders realize that an implicit recognition of Israel is the only way to a peace, which, in turn, will give Hamas some legitimicy to their own people.

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TBAJan 22nd, 2007 - 17:01:45

Israel is to powerful (Nukes and all the money they get) to negotiate on a just basis.

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