Yes, Hamas or any other palestinian govt group has to stop attacking Israel- we know this. But every time the issue of trying to move forward with a viable mid-east peace plan comes up, some conservative feels the need to lecture everyone on how bad Hamas is and how many israelis have died but the problem is, we know this. We also know that many palestinian civilians have died. We know that the situation is a mess. We know this won’t be easy. But the fact is, we have to do something because doing nothing and ramping up hard-line rhetoric isn’t working and realistically at the end of the day, it is likely that both Israel and the Palestinians will not be happy with the US efforts at times, but that isn’t totally a bad thing.

http://gothamist.com/2009/03/26/cartoon_criticising_israel_sparks_c.php

I did see (by clicking on sub-links) where the Egyption Intelligence chief was encouraging Palestinians to “accept Israels right to exist”. I noted that the Fatah politician thinks that a “unity government” might be possible and a “positive step”.But, as the article makes clear, neither Fatah nor Hamas has indicated a willingness to do so (recognize Israel) in the past, and has not made any such committment looking towards the future.

Let’s remeber that Hamas has killed US citizens. Let’s remember that Islamic Jihad, and the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (the “armed wing” of Fatah) have killed US citizens. And all of these groups have targeted innocent civilians in Israel. A “unity” government between these two looks more like the “5 families” of New York coming together to establish a “vivendi”, rather than anything that promotes peace.

Heck, these guys have killed more Palestinian civilians thazt Israel has done over the past 10 years or so. Them agreeing not to kill each other and form a “united front” may save lives, but it is saving lives of Palestinians civilians and fighters, not lives of innocent Israeli civilians.

I know. We can “have hope”. We can look optomistically to the future and say, “this is a necessary first step to achieving a lasting peace”. That would be nice, but it is a little naive given the history of these organizations, don’t you think?

As you may recall, I said that I wish Obama (and Hillary) well in working towards a solution in this. I don’t hold them responsible in any fashion if no progress is made. It certainly won’t be their fault, and it won’t be because they didn’t try. They are trying. And maybe, just maybe, Obama can accomplish what no previous President of the US has been able to do in the past.

That would be wonderful. I just don’t expect it will happen. And if Obama can actually pull it off, I will congradulate him wholeheartedly for accomplishing that major achievement. (It won’t, however, mean that I support all his other policies). That would be a MAJOR breakthrough, and it would undercut the stated motivation for much of the terrorism caused by radical ME extremists. Wouldn’t mean that they stop activities, but would severely blunt their popular appeal. That would also be MAJOR.

We await further developments. I am still pessimistic, but I have “hope”.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hV4mOJQgUsQthrydU_Vty4iVgC5gD9759GG00

Both Hamas and Al Fatah have called for and end to Israel and death to all Jews. Both claim all territory of Israel, even though the Palestinians have NEVER previously controlled all that territory. Let’s recall that Al Fatah was led by Yassir Arafat, and his chosen successor was the current leader of Fatah. And we know Fatah’s penchant for telling you what you want to hear while pursuing entirely different goals.

I do understand that Fatah has a rather “longer” view of when Israel will be destroyed than does Hamas. Hamas would like them destroyed within 5 years. Fatah has a 50 year time horizon. So, I expect a unity government may try to “split the difference” and settle on 20-25 years before they declare war. In the meantime, Fatah probably wouldn’t mind just a few suicide bombers every week or so to wipe out innocent Israeli school children or shoppers.

Fatah has REPEATEDLY refused to condemn Hamas and has CONSISTENTLY refused to recognize the right of Israel to exist. How do you think that “uniting” with an open and declared terrorist group will “moderate” that position?

Actually, Hamas needs to be destroyed, Utterly. Like the snake that it is. And anyone who supports Hamas should be jailed or killed. Then Fatah MIGHT see fit to realign their thinking and expectations for the future, and actually take steps to pursue peace with Israel and begin to restore the social, community, and economic life to its shattered world.

This may seem “harsh”, but then these are unprecedented times, and require unprecedented action. Bury Hamas. Spit on its grave, and then come to Israel and say, “We are ready to deal”. Then we might have peace. Short of that, this is just a slow-rolling, mutual blood letting that is kept in check until one party (Israelis or Palestinians) or the other deems it politically expedient to engage in some “retaliation”.