Bridge for sale! Bridge for sale! There is much less here than is suggested by that AP headline. Hamas might indeed recognize Israel, in order to make sure the jizya keeps flowing — although you can see from this article that the organization is “edging” toward this in a very slow, ambiguous, and non-unanimous manner. In any case, it is a pity that if Hamas does recognize Israel, most will take this in good faith, without examining the nature of treaties with the enemy in Islamic law, or asking hard questions about Hamas’ overall goals, beyond the immediate tactics it may adopt.
“Hamas Edges Toward Recognizing Israel,” from AP, with thanks to Mackie:
JERUSALEM – Hamas edged toward recognition of Israel, a key international demand, in an agreement worked out by Hamas and
Fatah leaders in an Israeli prison, mentioning a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza while refusing to renounce violence.Israel refused to comment on the document on Thursday, and the Hamas leadership in Damascus were also silent “” but there was little reason to believe either would welcome it.
Hamas leaders in Gaza and the West Bank have hinted they might abandon the group’s call for the destruction of Israel, but Khaled Mashaal, the Syria-based leader of Hamas, has rejected any suggestion of moderation.
Also, the document included key Palestinian demands Israel has always rejected “” return of millions of refugees to their original homes in Israel and complete Israeli evacuation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem.