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Don't Deal with Terrorists
by Daniel Pipes
- An increasing number of voices are calling for Hamas to be recognized, arguing that the imperatives of governance would tame it, ending its arch-murderous vocation (it has killed about 600 Israelis) and turning it into a responsible citizen.
The historical record, however, refutes this “pothole theory of democracy.” Mussolini made the trains run, Hitler built autobahns, Stalin cleared the snow and Castro reduced infant mortality — without any of these totalitarians giving up their ideological zeal nor their grandiose ambitions.
Hamas might have hired a spin doctor to improve its image in the West, but its leadership candidly maintains it has no intention of changing.
It was a mistake to permit Hamas to compete in elections. Like al-Qaeda, Hamas should be destroyed, not legitimated, much less courted. (USA Today)
Hard Men to Deal With
by Ewen MacAskill
- That it took part in this week's election represents a remarkable shift: a move towards politicisation of a hardline violent organisation. A Hamas-led administration could speed that process.
- At some point, the men of violence have to be brought into the political process, and this is what could happen with Hamas.
- The chances of real peace being reached are greater dealing directly with the men with the most guns and bombs, rather than doing a deal with Fatah alone, with Hamas left on the sidelines.
- Hamas will find it harder as part of the government. It will have to make decisions and compromises and many of these will be unpopular. (Guardian-UK)
The West and Hamas Must Talk to Each Other - Editorial
- In practical terms there is much to be said for engaging with Hamas, in the hope of steering it towards the renunciation of violence.
- The movement has held to the ceasefire it agreed with Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, last March.
- Since its victories in local elections in May and October, it has proved a competent municipal administrator, as it had previously of its extensive social welfare programes.
- Rejectionism, by contrast, spells economic wreckage, as the borders stay closed and foreign funding dries up.
- By its victory, Hamas has forfeited the freedom of opposition; as the governing power, it faces hard choices. (Telegraph-UK)
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Hamas Won't Change its Stripes
by Barry Rubin
- Every time Hamas stages a terrorist attack, calls Jews the offspring of pigs and monkeys, or demands Israel's extinction, these naive people, Lenin called them "useful idiots", will use this as proof that more must be done to persuade it to be moderate.
- Why should we believe that Hamas will do anything other than murdering thousands of people and installing a terrible dictatorship over Palestinians?
- Yet contrary to such expectations, rulers have used guns and ideology to keep their welcomes from wearing thin, as substitutes for high living standards and broad civil rights.
- Is it really so hard to understand that a group that calls for genocide against Jews, extols terrorism and demands a Taliban-style regime for Palestinians is not about to become moderate? Apparently it is. (Canada.com)
Hamas Will Probably Continue Observing the Calm
by Arnon Regular
- Hamas is still committed officially to the truce (tahadiya), but in recent weeks Hamas leaders have made contradictory statements regarding the renewal of terror attacks and its armed struggle, and regarding recognizing Israel or negotiating with it.
The contradictory statements reflect Hamas' internal dispute on the issue, but it seems that due to its desire to cooperate with Fatah and reach agreements with the international community to secure continued aid, it is reasonable to assume that the calm would continue in the near future.
One of the most important factors affecting events in the Palestinian Authority are the positions of the international community and the Arab states following the Hamas victory.
The United States, for example, cannot have contacts with Hamas due to its laws which define Hamas as a terror group. The European Union will also have to find a formula under which it would be able to continue PA aid. (Ha'aretz)
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