The Israeli government's resolute opposition to the Palestinian Authority national unity government conveys a heaping dose of hatred, contempt and inflexibility. It puts Israel in line with Al-Qaida, which attacked the new government and accused Hamas of "selling Palestine to the Zionist enemy" and "violating the laws of Islam."

The new government expresses the Palestinian people's strong desire for unity, its primary goal being to stop the bloodshed, which has caused the deaths of 98 people in one month - Palestinians killed by Palestinians. For an entire year, Hamas and Fatah tried to prevent the establishment of a unity government. Hamas, which has a solid majority in the legislative council, wanted to rule alone. Fatah, for its part, wanted to remain in the opposition so it could return to power if Hamas were to fail.

But when the situation deteriorated into what nearly became a civil war, the public forced the two groups to unite. The moderate Arab states - Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan - got involved and exerted pressure until the Mecca agreement on a unity government was signed.

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The Israeli government argues that the unity government has not met the demands, or conditions, set by the Quartet: recognizing Israel, honoring agreements signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, and renouncing terrorism. There is no need to point out that the Israeli government is also not honoring the Quartet's demands that it halt construction in the settlements, excavations in the Old City of Jerusalem and assassinations and arrests in the West Bank, as well as remove the Israel Defense Forces roadblocks and the chokehold of the economic blockade.

The new Palestinian government's political plan shows a clear change in the positions of Hamas. It does not explicitly accept the Quartet conditions, but does so indirectly. The government accepts the agreements signed between the PLO and Israel, and these agreements include the Palestinian leadership's recognition of Israel.

As for terrorism, one can criticize the section on "the right to confront the occupation," even though this is a right recognized around the world. It also says explicitly that the Palestinian government will act to strengthen the cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and expand it to the West Bank. In addition, it contains a commitment to the Palestinian people to work for a just peace and a statement that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas will negotiate in the name of the Palestinian people and government. In accordance with the best of democratic traditions, the unity government states that every agreement signed will be brought for a national referendum or the approval of the PLO's new national council, which includes Hamas.

This change in Hamas' positions is major and important, and it has historic significance for the movement. It is worthy of encouragement, especially from Israel, which could lead to peace talks. If Hamas takes part in making peace, even indirectly, it will be a dramatic change for fundamentalist Islamic groups around the world, since Hamas won't be alone in this. There is a strong element of these movements that does not blindly follow Al-Qaida, but has its own agenda, also in the name of Islam. This element sees Osama bin Laden's approach as damaging to Islam for depicting it as a religion of killing, destruction and terrorism. Hamas is not yet part of this element, but leading a government that is committed to the peace process will bring it closer and intensify the debate within the Islamic movement, to the good of world peace.

If Israel had a wise government for which peace and the future of all our children were top priorities, it would not have decided to cut off the Palestinian unity government, but would be exceedingly open toward it. For the sake of the lives of our children, it is worth trying.