Comments on: Hamas: The Song Remains the Same http://blog.z-word.com/2009/11/hamas-the-song-remains-the-same/ Commentary about Zionism, anti-Zionism, antisemitism and the conflict in the Middle East Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:01:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5-RC1.1 By: Lynne T http://blog.z-word.com/2009/11/hamas-the-song-remains-the-same/#comment-7874 Lynne T Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:36:52 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1451#comment-7874 On the other hand, Hassan Ibish of the American Task Force on Palestine, a supporter of the two-state option, thinks talking to Hamas, at least under current conditions, is idiotic: "Now with regard to Hamas, I definitely don't think it would be wise for the West to open up dialogue with Hamas under the present circumstances. I think that would simply reward them and it would benefit them in their competition with the PLO and there's a stark choice that Palestinians are facing between two strategies: an Islamist violent strategy and a secular nationalist negotiation strategy. I think it's very important to bolster the second and to make the first appear what it actually is: Non-functional." The Fantasy World of the One-Staters http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/11/hussein_ibish_on_the_fantasy_w.php On the other hand, Hassan Ibish of the American Task Force on Palestine, a supporter of the two-state option, thinks talking to Hamas, at least under current conditions, is idiotic:

“Now with regard to Hamas, I definitely don’t think it would be wise for the West to open up dialogue with Hamas under the present circumstances. I think that would simply reward them and it would benefit them in their competition with the PLO and there’s a stark choice that Palestinians are facing between two strategies: an Islamist violent strategy and a secular nationalist negotiation strategy. I think it’s very important to bolster the second and to make the first appear what it actually is: Non-functional.”

The Fantasy World of the One-Staters

http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/11/hussein_ibish_on_the_fantasy_w.php

]]> By: yaniv http://blog.z-word.com/2009/11/hamas-the-song-remains-the-same/#comment-7859 yaniv Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:22:01 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1451#comment-7859 You should have read the Israeli papers more systematically. Although Hamas did not respond in the precise way you think they should have, they did provide a series a messages, which are not necessarily mutually consistent, but which provide the same effect of your suggestion. From Yediot Ahronot (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3801873,00.html): Hamas legislator Mushir al-Masri told Ynet in response to Mofaz's plan, "This is a very important step, but we are interested in its translation from talk into action." "Obviously, such comments carry a lot of weight when they come from someone of Mofaz's stature – a man who went to war against Hamas and the resistance and is familiar with the issue's political and security-related aspects," said al-Masri. The senior Hamas figure said he would not dismiss any offer "if it is based on the recognition of the basic rights of the Palestinian people and its right to be rid of occupation. "The Israelis realize that we (Hamas) are a key player in the political arena. It would be a mistake to ignore Hamas and deal solely with (Palestinian President Mahmoud) Abbas," he said. You should have read the Israeli papers more systematically. Although Hamas did not respond in the precise way you think they should have, they did provide a series a messages, which are not necessarily mutually consistent, but which provide the same effect of your suggestion.

From Yediot Ahronot (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3801873,00.html):

Hamas legislator Mushir al-Masri told Ynet in response to Mofaz’s plan, “This is a very important step, but we are interested in its translation from talk into action.”

“Obviously, such comments carry a lot of weight when they come from someone of Mofaz’s stature – a man who went to war against Hamas and the resistance and is familiar with the issue’s political and security-related aspects,” said al-Masri.

The senior Hamas figure said he would not dismiss any offer “if it is based on the recognition of the basic rights of the Palestinian people and its right to be rid of occupation.

“The Israelis realize that we (Hamas) are a key player in the political arena. It would be a mistake to ignore Hamas and deal solely with (Palestinian President Mahmoud) Abbas,” he said.

]]> By: ganselmi http://blog.z-word.com/2009/11/hamas-the-song-remains-the-same/#comment-7858 ganselmi Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:53:33 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1451#comment-7858 HAMAS is not a rational political entity, hence the irrational response. Partly to blame is the IRI, which floods HAMAS and Hizbullah with cash (though Uncle Khamenei probably has less petro-$ to give out right now than, say, two years ago) in return for said organizations' rent-a-thug services. Mofaz, by the way, is a Iranian-born. HAMAS is not a rational political entity, hence the irrational response. Partly to blame is the IRI, which floods HAMAS and Hizbullah with cash (though Uncle Khamenei probably has less petro-$ to give out right now than, say, two years ago) in return for said organizations’ rent-a-thug services.

Mofaz, by the way, is a Iranian-born.

]]> By: Hamas and Judith Butler « El Nuevo Pantano http://blog.z-word.com/2009/11/hamas-the-song-remains-the-same/#comment-7856 Hamas and Judith Butler « El Nuevo Pantano Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:44:40 +0000 http://blog.z-word.com/?p=1451#comment-7856 [...] , Gaza , Israel , Palestinians Leave a Comment Tags: Hamas, Judith Butler, Shaul Mofaz here and [...] […] , Gaza , Israel , Palestinians Leave a Comment Tags: Hamas, Judith Butler, Shaul Mofaz here and […]

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