I don't write much about the middle east, i.e Israel and all it's attendant issues, because frankly I'm pretty clueless about a lot of what goes on over there. But this seems to be a pretty interesting (and saavy) move on the part of Hamas.
The Islamic militant group Hamas is ready for a "two-state" solution with Israel, a senior official said Friday, a position that would imply recognition of the Jewish state for the first time.
...
n a published interview Friday, Zahar said his government is prepared to discuss the idea of a settlement with Israel with the Quartet of international Mideast negotiator _ the U.S., European Union, Russia and United Nations.
"Let us speak about what is the meaning of the two-state solution," he told The Times of London. "We will ask them what is their concept concerning the two-state solution."
It seems that recognition of Israel by Hamas could be a stepping stone towards some sort of peaceful resolution to the strife over there. It also would remove a huge Irani talking point about not accepting/recognizing Israel as a sovereign nation.
Interesting development...any bets that the 1600 Crew will come charging out of the gate dead set against it, because someone in Hamas once took a piss in the stall next to some al-Qaeda member?
posted by Jo Fish on 04.07.06 at 01:00 PM
Comments:
Would be wonderful if Hamas had made this decision without serious economic pressure. But if that's what it takes to encourage them to behave as adults instead of angry children, so be it. Article from Jerusalem Post:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1143498816399&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
