Posted on 04/07/2006 5:54:47 PM PDT by blam
Hint from Hamas that it might recognise Israel
By Tim Butcher in Jerusalem and David Rennie in Brussels
(Filed: 08/04/2006)
The first indications that Hamas might recognise the right of Israel to exist emerged following intense diplomatic and economic pressure from the international community.
A senior Hamas official said Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas prime minister, would discuss the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with Mahmoud Abbas, the moderate Palestinian president and Fatah leader.
Ismail Haniyeh with Mahmoud Abbas in Gaza
The European Commission yesterday announced a temporary halt in direct aid payments to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian government, which are currently worth £335m annually.
EU foreign ministers are due to meet next week to discuss what to do about future aid. The EU has been threatening to cut off direct payments unless Hamas renounces violence and recognises Israel.
A willingness to consider a two-state solution implies an acceptance of Israel's right to exist alongside a Palestinian nation, something Hamas has never agreed to before.
Such a seismic shift in Hamas ideology will cause intense and potentially violent debate within the Islamist movement, which sent out hundreds of suicide bombers into Israeli during the intifadas. Mr Haniyeh refused to confirm the shift publicly.
But western diplomats will nevertheless be encouraged that something unthinkable just a few months ago is now being openly discussed in the Palestinian territories.
Earlier this week, the Hamas foreign minister, Mahmoud Zahar, was reported to have hinted at a willingness to talk about a two-state solution during contacts with United Nations officials. Again, this was denied publicly.
Western diplomats will take it as proof of the efficacy of withholding financial support to the increasingly fragile Palestinian economy.
Since coming to power in January Hamas officials have learned how much the Palestinian economy relies on foreign aid. Without external props, it would go bust as it does not even have enough cash to pay the monthly wages of civil servants.
I'm not holding my breath, but on the other hand, if everyone cuts off aide to the Palestinians, I think they'll wise up sooner or later.
Hint to Hamas.....
Good idea, if you want to survive....
Semper Fi
Will we cede the southeast to Mexico?
Like Henry IV of France who converted from Protestantism to Catholicism to gain the throne saying "...Paris is worth a mass", Hammas will recognize Israel solely for the promised aid money. It will not make any difference in their policy toward Israel.
But I still don't know if they like like them.
"The European Commission yesterday announced a temporary halt in direct aid payments to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian government, which are currently worth £335m annually."
And the US announced about $300 million which was glong to the PA would now be redirected through the UN/other NGOs.
Total above order of magnitude $1 billion which is some real money.
Problem with these lying diabolical misfits is their words is worthless.
They will tell you enough to start the money again, then after awhile restart terrorism, under some excuse.
Never trust a muslim. His religion tells him to lie to you.
Hamas Lies,They are not too be trusted and I don't think Israel will be that foolish in taking anything they say at face value.
"Hint From Hamas That It Might Recognise Israel" - let the celebrations begin in the liberal media.
It has always been known that the Palestinians are economically tied to the Israelis. This was so even before Israel existed, which is why the UN called for a 2 state solution with economic unity back in 1947. The Palestinians cannot live on economic ties with Jordan or Egypt or Syria, who are all barely getting by themselves.
I am surprised if Hamas did not realize how dependent the Palestinians are on others. What did they think? Why would the Palestinians have any better economy than any of the other non-oil Arab states that surround them?
In the past Israelis approached peace initiatives with unbridled enthusiasm. After peace with Israel many believed it would lead to economic revolution in the middle east, with Egypt welcoming investment, agricultural advances, etc. They were shunned by a cold peace. Even in Gaza, it seems that the 9000 settlers were more economically productive than the entire 1.2 million Palestinians.
For some reason they just don't know how to relate to western style economies. They never did, which is why the Ottoman empire colllapsed in WW1. They couldn't keep up with the west at all.
Did you say you thought they said "two-state solution"...?
Nah, they said "two-faced solution..."
See http://jiw.blogspot.com/2006/04/two-face-solution.html
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