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Educating Hamas By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Hamas Israel is interested in a cease-fire with Hamas and there is no point in pretending that this is not so. The disengagement from the Gaza Strip was also an attempt to achieve calm on this front, and the partial restraint in response to the firing of rockets, which are already reaching Ashkelon, can also be considered an attempt to achieve quiet. Israel is interested in quiet even more than Hamas, because Iran (which is supporting Hamas) increases its involvement in the region the more the ground is burning. A peace agreement with Hamas is not in the cards, so all that can be wished for is a cease-fire that lasts, however long it lasts. We will always be able to return to the current situation. To achieve this modest aim, the government should not pile up difficulties along the way but should go along with the Egyptians, who are making a big effort to calm Gaza. In exchange for abducted soldier Gilad Shalit we will apparently have to pay by releasing prisoners; there is no point in evading this. The haggling, too, can be done with, because nothing good will happen to Shalit in the meantime; even if the list of prisoners to be released is shortened a bit, the danger remains that he will disappear, and in retrospect the haggling will look mean and stupid. There is also a considerable chance that the list of prisoners demanded will grow. After all, it is clear to everyone that Israel does not give up on a living prisoner and that his price rises in step with the danger to his life. There is no point in trying to educate Hamas and asking for a cease-fire in return for Shalit and the opening of the Rafah crossing without including a prisoner release in the deal. In these negotiations we will not be able to win - whatever their outcome. It is not possible to defeat Hamas with a large ground operation or a peace treaty. Ever since the movement took control of Gaza, the best that can be hoped for is a calm of an unknown duration. A period of calm, the fruits of which both sides will enjoy, with neither winners nor losers, is both the minimum and maximum that can currently be achieved. Advertisement Israel's pressure on Hamas during the partial siege has not produced results. This, too, can be admitted now. It is now possible to gamble on a period of calm. Perhaps the people in Gaza will, after all, enjoy an end to the fighting. Perhaps economic recovery, an opening of the crossing to Egypt and the welcome Egyptian involvement for which there is currently no alternative will change things for the better and help end the firing on Israeli civilians. Noam Shalit is right in his insistence on tying his son's release to the cease-fire agreement, but it is doubtful this is possible. Gilad Shalit can be released in a prisoner deal, which could perhaps be combined with a truce. What should not be done at this time is to postpone decisions that in any case will be taken at a later stage - too late for those whose blood will be spilled. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Grass is greener For the cannabis-growing residents of Lebanon, recent fighting has been a blessing. Piggy bank savings Welfare Minister Herzog unveils a plan to open savings accounts for every Israeli child.   1.   Smart editorial - I disagree on one point 09:34  |  Natallie Durson 14/05/08   2.   Selfish love! 09:48  |  Vinegar Hill 14/05/08   3.   Why can`t Haaretz lead Israel.....???? 09:59  |  Swiss (Dino) 14/05/08   4.   Haaretz, Devils Advocate 10:29  |  Ben Menachem 14/05/08   5.   I agree 100% 10:33  |  Rowan 14/05/08   6.   INSTEAD OF MODEST AIM, BE BOLD AND MAKE PEACE 10:34  |  Mohamed MALLECK 14/05/08   7.   We can`t and won`t cease our preasure without Gilad Shalit!!! 10:52  |  Ofer 14/05/08   8.   But peace and quite will be bad business for Israel 11:53  |  El-Birawi 14/05/08   9.   Dino #3 12:00  |  ivo 14/05/08   10.   # 9 ivo 12:55  |  Swiss (Dino) 14/05/08   11.   8 13:19  |  Just D. Facts 14/05/08   12.   Dhimmitude prevent non moslems to think , to imagine 13:44  |  Joseph . E 14/05/08   13.   Dino #10: reread the article - 14:37  |  ivo 14/05/08   14.   Educating Ha`aretz Part 1 15:03  |  Clicksage 14/05/08   15.   Seperate these two heroic enterprises... 15:12  |  Esther 14/05/08   16.   Educating Ha`aretz Part 2 15:16  |  Clicksage 14/05/08   17.   Educating Ha`aretz Part 3 16:40  |  Clicksage 14/05/08   18.   Educating Haaretz 22:19  |  Tod Zuckerman 14/05/08

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