Israel must recognize Hamas' government in Gaza
Who started the deadly tit for tat? To the Israelis it is clear − it started with the abominable fire on the school bus. To the Palestinians it is clear − it started with killing a senior Hamas official. And before that it was ... and before that it was ... and before that it was...
By Uri AvneryIn his old age a man returns to second childishness, Shakespeare said. Something similar is happening to the State of Israel.
The new round of hostilities along the Gaza Strip was terrible. A missile was fired at a school bus, critically injuring a teenage boy. At least 15 Palestinians were killed in the retaliation, including civilians, women and children. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis had to hunker down in bomb shelters in constant fear. And all as a result of a childish policy.
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A rocket being fired out of Gaza. |
| Photo by: AP |
Who started? To the Israelis it is clear - it started with the abominable fire on the school bus. We had to retaliate to that. To the Palestinians it is clear - it started with killing a senior Hamas official. We had to retaliate to that. And before that it was ... and before that it was ... and before that it was...
And how will it end? Today there seems no end to it. Each side insists on not letting the other side fire the last shot.
The first childish decision was ours - Israel must on no account recognize the Hamas government because Hamas is a terror organization, which does not recognize the Jewish democratic state. Because Hamas is this and that.
This is complete - and fatal - nonsense. Hamas really is this and that, but it is the only government in Gaza. We tried to bring it down and as a result it grew stronger. Moreover, secret WikiLeaks documents recently published reveal that a senior Israeli defense official told an American diplomat Israel is interested in maintaining Hamas' rule in Gaza in the short term, because any alternative reign would be worse.
If so, what is this bloody game for? Why continue bluffing the Israeli public when the solution is simple? Israel must recognize Hamas' government in Gaza de facto, as an existing reality. Israel must negotiate with the existing government over practical matters that require an arrangement.
There is no point in achieving another fuzzy tahadia (calm ), with the help of another shadowy third party, with no details and no official agreement. We need an official cease fire, fixed in a written document, setting procedures to sort out complaints. We need an agreed, manifest, reliable third party to supervise this process.
Israel's entire approach to the Gaza Strip is anachronistic. The blockade, intended to persuade the population to topple the Hamas government, failed and has turned into a stumbling-block. We must cut ourselves off from Gaza once and for all, and this means allowing Gaza to open itself in all the other directions - opening the Gaza port, airport and border with Egypt.
Israel has proved it can prevent bringing in weapons in other more effective ways. This also pertains to the next flotilla barreling our way. Let it sail in peace wheresoever it may.
This is common sense. Former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy also hinted as much. Anything else is stupid, childish, one-upmanship games - he started, let him stop first, and the like. To put it simply - fatal stupidity.
Benjamin Netanyahu was also gripped by second childishness when he began his campaign to avert the oncoming "diplomatic tsunami" - world recognition of a Palestinian state on lands captured by Israel in 1967, with East Jerusalem as the capital.
Netanyahu, who believes one word is worth a thousand acts, is planning to turn a few more villages over to Palestinian rule, convene another Madrid-style international conference and persuade one more state to vote against recognition of the state in the UN.
How many times can we repeat these childish tricks, especially when the world's answer is expected to be a simple cry: "Israelis, we're fed up with you!"
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G-D , Blessed be His Holy Name , gave gaza to the tribe of Judah for their inheritance in the Jewish promised land . All strangers arabs etc who do not live under Israel's sovereignty in peace in Israel G-D Himself will destroy . see " Jeremiah 12 ; 14-17
Israel must recognize the Islamic Republic in Iran !? "Hamas in Gaza couldn't live with their brothers in Rammalah ! Those of us who lived in Arab Countries lived in the like of Gaza & I tell 'you must be mad" !
Since Article 7 of the Hamas Charter http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/1609.htm which reads “O Muslim! there is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him!” is taken from Bukhari (Vol 4, Book 52, No. 177) http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/052.sbt.html and quotes Prophet Muhammad it means that Uri Avnery is urging the Israeli government to recognize the Hamas government whose written stated goal, sanctioned by Muhammad himself, is to kill the Jews. Either Mr Avnery has not read the Hamas Cahrter or he agrees that Jews should be killed. Which is it?
The US, Europe and even the PA refuse to recognize the Hamas government in Gaza as legitimate. The damn place was taken by coup. Legitimate governments don't take over by pushing members of the opposition off rooftops the way Hamas was doing to members of Fatah. If we did recognize Hamas as legitimate government in Gaza we would probably end up getting accused by Fatah of trying to split the palestinians by recognizing a palestinian government that the palestinian leadership itself doesn't recognize. Whilst the Gaza blockade is certainly about weakening Hamas politically its main purpose is to stop weapons being brought in. This blockade has already successfully captured one ship loaded with weapons on its way to Gaza. The next flotilla should not be allowed to dock in Gaza because once we allow one we must allow the next one and the next one and whilst today its a flotilla of idiot idealists tomorrow its a ship loaded with weapons. We should try and sabotage flotillas before they leave port or find other ways of stopping the ships reaching Gaza and being forced to divert to Israel to be searched. Its also going to be a little hard to open the airport considering there is nothing left of it. This is not about childish games its about security. This whole article is based on the ASSUMPTION Haas are going to adopt a peaceful approach to things if we end this blockade and recognize them as the legitimate government of Gaza. Natanyahu and even Liberman have accepted the principle of a palestinian state but where we don't agree is the palestinians think its just simply a matter of them presenting a list of demands and us signing on the dotted line and saying yes sir anything for the peace process sir as the left would have us do. What we want is a NEGOTIATED solution that means nobody gets what they want but everybody gets something. .. A solution neither side is happy with but can both grudgingly accept.. Lets also not forget which side has been placing pre conditions if they will agree to come and sit and talk..... It wasn't Bibi. Everybody though does love to blame Bibi for everything all the problems and treats Abbas as a man who can do no wrong because he is the palestinian leader.
arab countries are underpopulated. witness the 100,000s of foreign workers fleeing Libyia.
Hamas is a resistance movement with a so-called self proclaimed government. Excuse me but did you read the charter of Hamas? here one of its fine Hadits "The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Muslims, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. Only the Gharkad tree, would not do that because it is one of the trees of the Jews." (related by al-Bukhari and Muslim). We might assume that things go a little deeper than your article suggests. Let them recognize Israel, an international recognized country, and then we'll see. And do not forget to bring home Gilad Shalit.
Do you think palestinians care about the so called Hamas charter ? they have no idea this charter even exists. How about Likoud program ? how about extreme right ideas in Israel ? how about Lieberman and his gang ? don't you think this is much worse than a charter that was written in the 80's ? don't use that as an excuse. Why does not Israel recognize Hamas as a legitimate partner in the palestinian society ? because Israel would have to negociate a real peace treaty with the palestinians, fatah, Hamas included, meaning dismantling the settlements, dealing with your extremist settlers, leaving the WB, recognizing a palestinian State, Jerusalem as Capital AND dropping any idealogical goals : Eretz Israel. That's Israel main problem !!! not Hamas. Remember 20 years ago ? where was Hamas ? the PLO and Arafat were the ones to destroy. Remember ? Deal with your issues. Israel has deeper issues than the palestinians, much deeper issues. Good luck with that but please don't blame the palestinians and the rest of the world for what you're responsible for.
so easy up we are not fools,people in Gaza cannot help but know what Hamas mean Arafat said it all in a Mosque in S.A when he said the peace process was just steps in the destruction of Israel
'recognizing a palestinian State' while settling the WB and expanding is obviously a peaceful move, right Peter ? the peace process is only words, it's pure rethoric from Israel and the US. What's happened to the palestinian territories since Oslo ? thousands of settlements have been built, thousands of palestinian expelled. Is this your definition of 'recognition' ?
If the rest of the world is fed-up with Israel the rest of the world can mind its own goddam business.
You have a point, Sean. So: no more US money; no more EU trading advantages; complete boycott of all Israeli goods, cultural artefacts etc etc. Go ahead - cut yourselves off from the rest of the world and see what it brings.
They are recognized as a terrorist organization and are nothing more. Those like Uri who legitimize Hamas terrorist are only preventing peace from occurring while they cause harm to the Jewish state.
Isn't every country or entitiy in the M.E(currently not 'friends) of Israel a terrorist organization! Israel will remain the problem as long as they insist on occupation and colonisation, no matter what leader sits in Gaza or West Bank. It's about the occupation, which is not 'holy or divine', just a breach of international and humanitarian law. I
From people such as yourself, Ben Kahan...those who fail to see the real terrorists...the Goldsteins, the settlers...the white phosphous shells...the anti-democrats...and on and on...
I usually concur with Uri Avneri, but to recognise the HAMAS government would achieve very little. Recognition is a two-way street and HAMAS cannot recognise the 'Zionist entity' AND maintain its credibility.
is Gaza a internationally recognized SOVEREIGN COUNTRY with FREE all contacts with rest of the world, with FULL controll on own territory inc. all territorial waters and with full control on air? Or isn´t it? If it isn´t, then it is ONLY local selfadministration WITHOUT state power/jurisdictions. Nobody can recognize a "government", because there is NO government. Only local administration. But - you had must try it, I know :o)))
Both Palestinian President and Hamas government lack the legitimacy. Support the Strong party which has the power by force of arms, and not through the ballot box is not the solution, Arab revolutions are the biggest proof of the validity of my words. You need to listen to the pulse of the people.
" The blockade, intended to persuade the population to topple the Hamas government, failed and has turned into a stumbling-block." From a party that won last elections support for Hamas in Palestine is at low as it can get and they have no chance in comming elections if they ever come. From latest poll April 10th 09)If new presidential elections are to take place today, and Mahmud Abbas was nominated by Fateh and Ismail Haniyeh was nominated by Hamas, whom would you vote for? 1) Mahmoud Abbas 54.8% 2) Ismael Haniyyah 37.8% 4) DK/NA 7.5% 13) If new elections agreed to by all factions are held today and the same lists that took part in the last PLC elections were nominated, for whom would you vote? 11) Fateh 40.2% 6) Change and reform (Hamas) 25.5% 29)If parliamentary and presidential elections were to take place now, who you think will win, Fateh, Hamas, or others? 1) Fateh 46.3% 2) Hamas 15.8% 3) others 21.7% 4) DK/NA 16.2% 18 And what if Fateh wins new legislative and president elections, will this in your view lead to the lifting or to tightening of the international boycott of the Palestinian government? 1) Will lead to the lifting of the boycott 52.6% 2) Will lead to the tightening of the boycott 10.5% 3) Conditions will stay as they are today 32.7% 4) DK/NA 4.3% 16) If Hamas wins next legislative and president elections, will this in your view lead to the lifting or to tightening of the international boycott of the Palestinian government? 1) Will lead to the lifting of the boycott 8.7% 2) Will lead to the tightening of the boycott 62.2% 3) Conditions will stay as they are today 22.5% 4) DK/NA 6.6% The people understand very well why the do not want Hamas and we have the blockade to thank.
Israel gets to declare whether or not elections happen and who gets to run and who gets to win AND if the winner gets to govern. See the 2005-6 election results. Israel also decides if the government gets to have its own tax money or if Israel keeps it.
Hamas Legislative Council elections term is overdued, Fatah Presidential elections are over dued. They both refuse to hold new ones at some point now it is Hamas that refuse to let the Palestinians go to new election and its Israel's fault? Get real will you.
Uri the world may be fedup with Israel (Unjustly so), but we Jews are fed up with you and your ilk (justly so)
Israel should wish history to show it was that leader.
In fact, israeli leaders must do their utmost efforts for encouraging pal.leaders to form a united democratic goverment in the occupied territories ( Gazand west Jordan) . Only a democatic free pal.state can guarantee a permanent peace and prosperity for both jewish and arab citizens in this part of the ME.
There is the knotty little problem of the internal Palestinian deferred/active civil war. Neither Hamas nor Fatah, want Israel to recognize Gaza as distinct from Palestine, and the two parties want to control Palestine and will kill each other to do so. And, historically, in the triangulation (more than that with other militias in play), "sticking it to Israelis - not Israel" is a method of gaining street cred. (Its also a method of Israeli parties proving their credibility, defense credentials.) The path through the whole mess is a negotiated proposal to bring to the legislatures and then populace. Once ratified, the proposal becomes the stated will of the people. Militancy is marginalized. Then, there is the monkey wrench of BDS and the single-state advocacy. All whirpools at sea level, with no waves to actually surf, only whirlpools.
Denying the defacto situation for years didn't change the reality. And it would be a plus for recognition of ISrael.
Vitali, rest assured, Uri Avneri is well aware that his views represent a small minority of current Israeli thinking. But for most of the rest of the world, he is one of the beacons or rationality and humanity in an increasingly militaristic, nationalist, far right Israel.
Did you say 'must' ?
in all Haaretz columns, the directivs are written with "must", is it only now that you notice? This stems from the moral superiority and far deeper understanding of politics, economics, social issues, science, religion and art that the progressive left obviously possess.
Too painful for Likud or Netanyahu or anybody to the right. Can't keep up the pretense much longer, especially after Netanyahu refused to even look at PA borders proposals.
only obama thinks that terror is not a reality but a man made disaster.
Why do you suppose Sharon & Bush schemed to put Hamas in power in Gaza in the first place? They even announced the Fatah coup attempt to Congress 3 days in advance to make sure the Israeli media and Hamas had really good warnings. Why was that?
Obama is starting to surprise people in the US. He is showing evidence of a spine. He even stood up, today, to the plan to bring back the robber-baron era.
hamas completed the vote by a bloody coup against fatah. no amount of revisionism by you will change history.
mark, let us know when he shows evidence of common sense--a quality most beneficial for a leader.
Obama is far from perfect, but how does his name come up in a discussion about the nature of Hamas? Has Obama ever even suggested talking to them, let alone praised them? The righteous agenda to protect Israel is separate from the agenda some have to smear all U.S. Democrats on any pretext. Trying to conflate the two is manipulation. And let's remember that it was Truman, a Democrat, who over-rode his State Department and recognized Israel first.
Until one side or the other is smart enough, wise enough, BIG enough, to say "enough!". But you're right, Israel's whole policy of dealing with Hamas in Gaza is counterproductive, it boosts Hamas, and further delegitimitizes Israel in the eyes of the world. What does Hamas really have to gain by firing its piddling assortment of weapons towards Israel? What 'military' objective does it serve in the face of Israel's formidable arsenal? Israel clearly wins each battle...but guess who is winning the war?
just another Arab state.Which is what they really want and make no secret about it. Delegitimising?Look no further than the nearest mirror.!
Type the column up, stamp it "Top Secret", and pay someone in uniform to drop it on Netanyahu's desk.
I hear a lot of criticisms, but what do you believe will placate Hamas terrorist?
Chaim, If you read history, if you read other jewish histirian and other jewish scholars , am sure you will not be arguing with Uri Avnirey. I will give you a fewexamples please read their works. 1- Prof. Norman Finklstein 2- Prof. Noam Chomsky 3- Felicia Langer 4- Chahak 5- Ilan Pappe all of the above are jewish , not zionist, and dont tell me they are self hated jewish people. You cannot lable each one telling the trueth he is a self hated jewish or ani Jewish, may be anti zionists
I am familiar with some of the writers mentioned and I can call them self hating Jews, but I won't. They are delusional Jews. There have been many Jews in history that have harmed the Jewish people. Anyone who unjustly delegitimizes Israel is a detriment to the Jewish people and that's what the above mentioned people do. Are haaretz writers self hating Jews? I do not know, but I know they are biased against Israel. This much is obvious.
"Hamas can choose right now to stop all weapons' smuggling and rocket fire and then Gaza would enjoy relative calm" - Peres// One should not overlook the first demand: No weapons smuggling. Tell me when Mashiach comes and I will tell you when Hamas will agree to this. Does Israel refrain from importing and developing new weapons during a cease fire? Unfortunately, the demand in not a joke so chances for an official cease fire are non existent until there is some diplomatic move that will include Hamas. But Israel absolutely refuses to consider such an approach.
the inability of hamas to renounce terror leads to the conclusion that one day hamas will be overthrown.
You know the difference whether you choose to admit it here or not. Hamas seized power by a bloody coup in which they brutally tortured and murdered thousands of their fellow Arabs. If you recall Fatah ran in terror to Israel for protection. They are not legitimate and are brutal oppressors of the Gazan people. They commit illegal arrests, torture, honor killings of little girls, drug smuggling, prostitution, arms dealing, terrorism, embezzling, and worse. All of this is routine for Hamas. People in Gaza live in fear of Hamas.
"Hamas would respect any peace deal reached between Israel and Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, provided it is approved in a global Palestinian referendum, the top Hamas official in Gaza said Wednesday. In a rare news conference for foreign media, Ismail Haniyeh, the prime minister of Gaza's Hamas government, staked out seemingly pragmatic positions. He said Hamas seeks dialogue with the West and wants to be "part of the solution, not the problem." (2 Dec. 2010)// Hamas had these positions for some years now. Hamas will even agree to peace, if the Palestinians vote for it. This change in Hamas' implacable initial position resulted from world pressure which caused an evolutionary change so as to make Hamas survivable (see Darwin). It can be assumed however that as long as Hamas is shunned by the world, they will remain rejectionists; after all, what else would be left for them? The key is within the Palestinian nation itself. Abbas and Hamas must resolve their differences first and present a unified front to the world. They will be wise to agree to this, even though Israel is trying to prevent it. Unity will strengthen the Palestinian position, and Israel will gain a more reliable peace partner. As long as Israel rejects Hamas, there will be projectiles coming over as a reminder.
he has been writing the same nonsense for years. the reality is that hamas is an islamic terror group which by reason of its very ideology cannot "moderate." hamas will never accept the legitimacy of the state of israel or of her right to live in peace. hamas ideology cannot allow it just as marxist ideology cannot allow free ownership of the means of production..
a true and honest analyst looks at all evidence - this is the scientific approach. A propagandist looks only at evidence which supports the argument they have arrived at before reviewing the evidence, and ignores anything that contradicts. apparently you are a propagandist