Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Hammas Mentions Israel, Seeks two-state solution? Maybe? We Hope?
See my previous Blog posts on Israel and Hammas if you want a litte 'I-told-you-so.'
Hammas has tempered some of its extremist tendancies to fill the shoes of an actually functioning and responsible government. I'm not saying it's perfect, but it is certainly forward movent. Hammas' newly formed government sent its first correspondance to the UN condemning the Israeli occupation, but expressing the hope that they will someday live in peace with their 'neighbors'.
Even if they didn't explicitly mention that Israel is the neighbor in question, it is a tacit admission of Israeli existance and of suppor for a two-state solution. If they move to far to fast on this issue they risk losing popular support among palestinians. On the other hand, if they dont move at all they riski losing the support of the international community. I hope, and there seems to be evidence that, the burden of responsibilty that Hammas now shoulders as a legitimate government has mitigated some of their more extremist tendancies. Baby steps. Baby Steps.
Hammas has tempered some of its extremist tendancies to fill the shoes of an actually functioning and responsible government. I'm not saying it's perfect, but it is certainly forward movent. Hammas' newly formed government sent its first correspondance to the UN condemning the Israeli occupation, but expressing the hope that they will someday live in peace with their 'neighbors'.
Even if they didn't explicitly mention that Israel is the neighbor in question, it is a tacit admission of Israeli existance and of suppor for a two-state solution. If they move to far to fast on this issue they risk losing popular support among palestinians. On the other hand, if they dont move at all they riski losing the support of the international community. I hope, and there seems to be evidence that, the burden of responsibilty that Hammas now shoulders as a legitimate government has mitigated some of their more extremist tendancies. Baby steps. Baby Steps.
