Israel must talk to Hamas before it's too late

It is easy for people who don't live in Israel to be hardliners....

it is dangerous to assume that there is any difference between hamas gaza and hamas damascus. they are both proxies of iran. there is only one hamas. best regards, cipora

We had to leave my grandparents behind when we fled Germany. In 1939 they we dispossessed of their apartment, and from then on had to move to smaller and smaller quarters. They both died by 1942, unpleasantly. Building 1600 homes on Palestinian's property is no different than kicking my grandparents out of their living spaces. What Israel is doing now is shameful and I have stopped all support for you. I am urging that security of Israel should be supported, but no other support should be provided. What Israel is doing is an exaggerated version of the KELO case, where a city kicked out home owners in New Haven to give the land to developers who might pay more taxes. Except the developer did not do their part. I am ashamed of what Israel is doing: not enforcing its own laws on illegal settlers and forever failing to make peace. What a waste of state revenues to spend on arms and wars.

who created islamic extremism in sudan, yemen, chechnya, somalia, kashmir, afghanistan, pakistan, indonesia, philippines, uzbekistan, kazakstan, morocco, algeria, egypt, southern thailand....... pls let me know and whilst you are educating me, can you tell me what will make them believe less in allah and stop think we are all infidels. thanks in advance

Also, a peace agreement will not stop every militant attack. This will go on for generations no matter what. You are finally beginning to understand that it is the Palestinians who are avoiding peace, and that the Israeli's have been right all along in saying that there is no partner

Hamas looses control of gaza and even more extreemist groups take controll of their Iranian rockets. Assume that the new groups have no exiled political leaders to negotiate with. Rockets fly out as the strip descends into disorder. Negotiations with abas fail and he systematically disbands the PA security forces, forcing Israel to provide security in the WB as a new leadership wages a campaign for equality in the "one state". Is this what the Zionist dream was supposed to be? 'Cause that is exactly where it's heading..... Good work settlers!

except for a nuke on all of us, chas-ve-chalila...

not all those who support talks with hamas want to see israel disappear. some are israelis. the israelis are not many in numbers and have different motivations.

You use "we" and "our" constantly in your hateful screeds, trying to pretend that you are an Israeli Jew. I have read your talk backs for years, and would bet my life that you are neither Jew nor Israeli. I don't mind opposing points of view. But flying false colors makes me sick.

hamas is a proxy of iran. the difference between hamas gaza and hamas damascus is similar to the difference between the sa and the ss. hamas gaza might have some tactical disagreements with the external leadership, but they do not have substantial disagreements. one should not under any circumstances give hamas more power than it has. legitimising a genocidal terror group is the worst possible idea. regards, cipora

Just thought you'd like to know the muslims lost the war(s) to Israel. To the victor go the spoils. If it were the other way around, jews would have been killed. So have respect for Israel that they allow the Jordanians, um, I mean Palistinians(!lol), to live. Peace out.

Since Purim is over, the author really ought to quit his goofiness and start writing with some of logic. NOTE:TO EDITORS: But remember to reprint this article just prior to next Purim in your Purim Shtick edition.

Syria while Syria mocks him and the US and forms alliances with Iran and Al Quaida in Iraq killing americans. this guy David better look at what the intentions of Iranian supported Hamas. they have a charter that reads like a map to the gas chambers.Hamas does not want peace they want to destroy Israel for Iran and they don't care about the Pal people that is for a western audience. Human rights are for the west Arabs don't believe in it. David you better wake up and stop acting stupid

Hamas is eternally devoted to the destruction of Israel - in its ideology, in its constitution, in its actions. Talking with Hamas is insane - monumentally stupid as it is bound to fail, but also dangerous in that it legitimises their position. Hamas is the mortal enemy of Israel and must be utterly destroyed. Every terrorist, strategist, footsoldier, trainer, propagandist, "politician", administrator, weapons purchaser, funder or academic supporter... the whole organisation must be removed from the face of the earth. Talk with Hamas makes them stronger, gives them status, and compromises made to them enhance their reputation among the Arab and Islamic world. Instead - make every Hamas fear, make every leader hide and cower, let every Hamas supporter know that an airstrike or bullet waits around the corner... they won't be able to posture then, much less unleach their rockets and suicide bombers.

Hamas is a kind of Mafia rule. It rules with draconian powers against its own captive population. Though elected, its not democratic. It can only self-perpetuate itself by force. It endorses and practices kidnapping, murder, theft (as long as its agasint Jews) all violations of the Ten Commandments as public policy. It puts on a show of distribution of charity to the poor, but it takes the lion's share of donated food and construction materials for itself and its members. To talk with such persons is to dignify their existence and to lower one's esteem for Fatah, which seems to have the potential to invoke the rule of law. You may make peace with your enemies; but you bring criminals to justice. hamas are criminals.

"We can drag things out as much as we want, but we have to admit that the notion that time is on our side is baseless." We will have to talk to Hamas. This goes without saying. The sooner the better. Instead we put on a comedy of not allowing anyone through our side of the border with Gaza as that would be tantamount to recognizing Hamas, God forbid. (What's wrong with recognizing things that are there? Do we have to set such a precedent just because they won't recognize us as a Jewish State?) The comedy doesn't even hold, because we paint ourselves into a corner from which we have to backtrack. We will be allowing Ashton and Ban Ki Moon through anyway, as a special concession to their importance. We are constantly making rash statements and backtracking. Our government looks sillier and sillier with its charades. Time to do the obvious and stop wriggling on the hook. Talk to the enemy, see whether common interests cannot be found that will break the siege and bring Gilad home.

I am under impressed. Actually, why do we have to read every big idea of such non-persoanalities? Open talks with Hamas? Mr Zonsheine writes utter nonsense in every paragraph of this brainstorm of his.

Crazy leftists don't seem to understand that Israel should only negotiate with Hamas when it appears that Hamas actually wants a permanent peace with the Jewish state of Israel. Not before then.

At last someone is talking sense, only to be dismissed by your hardened extreme decriers who do not seem to have grasped the awfulness of the situation they are living in, and the injustices that their state has meted out to the Palestinians. It is a disgrace that 62 years after the 1948, when Israel's military and economic strength is at its peak, with the backing of the US, that it still talks as if it is under threat of being pushed into the sea, and that it has not made peace with the people whose land they have taken, and on whose ruined villages and towns its state was built over. The whole issue is that Israel wants the Palestinians to simply disappear, and its rejectionism has created all the resistance, the suicide bombings, the extremism and fundamentalism that Hamas will be pushed into becoming. Israel does not want peace because it will have to make concessions, and give up land and observe international law and agreements, all of which it feels it is above.What a pity!!!!

To negotiate for a lasting peace ,you need a tough and dependable partner who can deliver. PA has shown and proven to be lacking both characteristics where as Hamas has shown toughness and seriousness.

Hamas' rule in Gaza is the outcome of despair with the israeli leadership!!. Talking with HAMAS leadership = Accepting the right of palestinian people to live in their home land in peace and human dignity.Even when PLO , HAMAS etc... disappear , the palestinian people remains and their rights also remain until fullfilling completely.As a palestinian ,i wounder why the israelis are so blind,so .... , not to be courageous enough to achieve the peace in one week!!!

... Muslim Falani sect ambushed a Christian villages in central Nigeria, and used machetes to hack to death hundreds of Christian men, women and children. Question 1. for the Lefties: Should Nigerian Christians now hold out olive branches to the Muslims, and sit down to negotiate? Question 2: Why do Muslims still run around doing things like this? Question 3: Can you explain why you think the the problems in Holy land are responsible for all Muslim violence in the globe?

... how we wish that you were one of our negotiators... Greetings, E

This article is missing all the essential facts. This is a religious conflict and no longer about land-palestine. a proxy conflict on behalf of islamist iran. David Zonsheine have a lot to learn.

of islamic fundamentalism that makes Hamas like mother Theresa.The more isolated Gaza gets the more extremism is fed by extreme hatred and the willingness to die. If those extremists put their hand on Shalit and most likely they are trying to, then he will never see the day of light again. David Zonshein article is very appropriate.

the elevation of pride over wisdom to a much greater degree. Wisdom (and Jewish law) dictates that while saving a life and redeeming captives are of the highest importance, there is no requirement when it is 'at all costs', such as releasing terrorists when it is proven that they have returned to violence in the past, causing deaths and possibly causing more kidnapping attempts. Pride dictates that Tzahal must keep its commitment of leaving no soldier, or soldiers body, left behind. That is unreasonable.

Peace comes through communication and negotiation. Violence comes through demonizing others. Hamas objects to Israel and its treatment of the Palestinians. Israel has had its excesses in the treatment of Palestinians. Hamas has reacted in a spiral of violence shared by both Hamas and Israel. Both have had problems in taking the high moral ground. Isn't it time to do some introspection? Isn't it time to realize where there have been political errors and correct them? Isn't it time to offer an olive branch and talk together about how to heal long-standing grievances with the intent of resolving them in a just manner?

TO HAMAS and to our Government IF I YOUR ENEMY STRETCH OUT AN OLIVE BRANCH TO YOU DO NOT REGARD THIS AS A SIGN OF WEAKNESS. FOR IT IS THE FORCE OF THE MIGHTY AGAINST THE WEAK WHICH DIMINISHES BOTH OF US. IF WE DESTROY THAT WHICH WE FIGHT OVER,THEN,FOR WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING?AND IF THERE WILL BE NOTHING LEFT TO FIGHT OVER IT WILL BE TOO LATE. IF THE PURPOSE OF LIFE IS TO SUSTAIN LIFE,THEN LET THE SUSTAINING OF LIFE FLY OUT THE WINDOW, FOR THEN NO_ONE WILL BE LEFT TO STRETCH OUT THE OLIVE BRANCH..to you...to me...to anybody

I think that it is your hawkish ideas that have been proven wrong in the last 20 years. For example: 1- the downfall of Apartheid in South Africa 2- the surreal stubborn intention to impose an Occidental way of ruling Afghanistan 3- the obvious defeat of the hawkish branch of the West in Iraq. 4- the embargo on Cuba (although this one has been proven since 1961) 5- useless rhetorical sanctions on Iran. Need I show more examples? Oh yes: The blockade of Gaza... That got Hamas out of power did it? The occupation and bombing of Lebanon: Hezbollah is greatly weakened... right?

The worse thing Israel can do is give into the demands of Hamas regarding Gilad Shalit. They may get Gilad back (although probably wouldn't), and would be sacrificing all future soldiers captured. The worse thing that they can do is make these kidnappings worthwhile for Hamas.

Hamas demands are unreasonable. Release hundreds of murderers who will go on to kill again. Is this justice or fair? Would any country do so? It is this that leaves Israel in a bind,. If you list the names of those on that list whom Hamas demand, and their crimes, you would know why and most Israelis would agree. It is tragic sadness. Being fair and just is not being stupid.

'there was a time when people thought that talking to hitler was a marvelous idea ...' The real Hitler these days is Ahmadinejad, and I think he can only be negociated with at the point of a gun - nothing less. But Hamas? We don't know the width of the divide between the 'moderate' Gaza and 'extremist' Damascus wings. It might well be worth exploring - for the causes of Israel's security and regional peace. Unlike the author, I would not advocate carrying out any Israeli discussion with the Gaza branch in the glare of media cameras. It's not immediately to either side's advantage, and like Heisenberg discovered, it could mess with the results. But talk is cheap, and at present, it has a sense of urgency about it. It may be that time is running out before Iran demonstrates its nuclear capabilties; and thus only a little time before at least some of Iran's proxies may be more readily detached. Use it. MV

Dear FT; There is no such thing as a "bi-national state". States are by definition uni-national. No portion of the Gaza Strip has been occupied by Israel for at least 5 years now. What are you talking about?

How do you talk to people who do not understand individual rights, free elections, non violent political action, and peace?

HAMAS is losing it's grip on Gaza to terrorist organisations affiliated to Al Qaeda. Although Iam sure this is what Israel planned so they can link Cast Lead 300 to the West's counter terrorism operations in Afghanistan.

Natallie does not make Israel,s case or your rediculous demands . She makes the case that peace is better than no Peace---and if some fanatics--on both sides still cause trouble then they will be isolated from the majority on both sides. See recent bi lateral demos in NI protesting acts of agression by both IRA holdouts and ditto on the unionist side. Lets face it Arik---the only peace you want is capitulation by the Palestinians. Keep it up mate---the result of that is a Bi National state and end of your rogue state. Well done---your children will love you.

Many here cry about the thousands of Palestinian prosoners held in Israeli jails. The same say how it is a shame that the government is willing to let Shalit and his family suffer. Well what about Hamas ???? What is so angelic about Hamas that they allow 500 prisoners and their families to suffer. No matter how far to the left you lean a trade of 500 prisoners to 1 Shalit seems to be fair enough for me. Too bad two or three prisoners have too much blood on their hand and need to stay in jail. I guarantee you Shalit has no blood on his hands.

Same people...same goals. Hamas and Fatah cannot reconcile their differences. What does that say about the mindset of Hamas ?

over. Flags the whole posturing prancing bit for the cameras. No child martyr in sight.

Mr. David Zonsheine sure is quick to say what Israel "must" do. Why don't you just leave your ideas as friendly suggestions instead? Hamas can expect to get about 1000 Palestinian prisoners but only those without "blood on their hands" in exchange for Gilad Shalit. Otherwise, Hamas can drown in its own cess pool known as the Gaza Strip.

I'm sick and tired of all this! I WANT TO LIVE IN PEACE! Israel had the chance to make peace with Fatah, why didn't they do that? They let Hamas to take control. (an organisation which is NOT supported by most arabs). Israel must confess its war crimes and the terrorist groups must stop their actions. Arab and Jews must BOTH come to their common sense and not support Right wing israelis and terroist groups. And some of you have been asking, too late for what? Well, before it's to late that the whole region will turn into a desert by bombings. Before the start of an unnessecary nuclear war. No, it's time for the people on the both sides to wake up and make the best of middle east, and to make it the center of the world, as it has been for centuries. Because when we and our children will die in the war, it'll really be to late...

Arik, all I want to say is that your "stupid humanist left" informed the values that built the state of Israel, so show some respect. The values of force above all, no negotiations, the war on dissent--these are going to lead to Israel's self-destruction. It is powerful enough to deal with little freaks like Hamas. It isn't going to risk any lives to talk to Hamas. Somewhere along the way enough people convinced themselves that negotiation = capitulation. That shtuyot has got to stop.

"Also, a peace agreement will not stop every militant attack. This will go on for generations no matter what." It explains crystal clear why Israel is tough in demanding security gurantees of all kinds. It is not true that Israel does not want peace. Israel indeed wants peace but as Natalie Durson correctly understands, a peace treaty will not end palestinian so called "legitimate" claims to 'terra irredenta' and the use of terror to acheive its goals. For these reasons which are very well expressed by Natalie, Israel should stick to the demand for palestinian full recognition of the jewish state, refugees to Palestine not Israel, an unarmed palestinian state, and control of part of the Jordan valley border.

""Also, a peace agreement will not stop every militant attack. This will go on for generations no matter what."" Indeed.So what you may call peace is nothing but the same old terrorist warfare for Israel and its citizens.Only much worse with a hostile state probably run by Hamas and its minions 20 km from the center of Tel Aviv.Your war of words demonizing and dehumanising Israel from thousands of miles away would continue NO MATTER WHAT.Right? So peace?What peace?

and more they (Hamas) have been pushed to the corner - more paranoidic and crazy they have and will come.

Maybe this is a naive comment on my part, but why must "realism" be soaked in so much blood?

Esther, That's the thing. Too many people, regrettably too many Israelis, really think that Arabs are less human than we Jews are. In this conflict, why most so many among our tribe stoop to the level of our enemies and the way they picture us (less than human, bloodthirsty, etc)? How can it end?

And it is better to have some control.

Even if we have some sort of legalisation of the occupation aka "peace"

"Oh, if we just talked to them, they would stop declaring their intention to kill us and start loving us!" Fine- and when our killers take over, you can be in charge of the local Judenrat. Grow up- Hamas exists as a movement, funded by Iran, to destabilize the area by remaining at war with Israel. It is not a "nationalist" movement with its end goal as a Palestinian state. If that were only the case, they would be worth talking to.

The naivety of David Zonsheine is inspiring in a way. I understand your willingness to give in to Hamas. People are tired of the over 60 years of terrorism which is exactly what Hamas, and terrorists groups like them, hope to create. They know, and part of their battle strategy is to divide public opinion. Would talking to them help? Hamas has an offer on the table now, a ten year "Hudna"(ceasefire) for a Pal state based on the 1967 borders without recognizing Israel's "right to exist". After the ten years they can go back to war and destroy Israel, from their own country as a base. Hezbollah used the 5 years after the IDF pullout to fortify its southern border for the war they planned with Israel. Why would Hamas do anything different, plus their perceived PR victory of using terrorism to get Israel to the table and get a country without recognizing Israel would only embolden them to believe they can destroy Israel. Your good hearted ideas will not work.

Israel has much to lose by making peace. It is very clear why Israel would be motivated to avoid peace. First of all, it is politically correct to say that everybody wants peace. Anyone that would be negative about peace is immediate chastised as a miserable warmonger and worse. Having said that, what does Israel lose in a peace agreement. Certainly a large number of settlements would have to be evacuated. This alone will cause much turmoil and strife in Israel. Also, a peace agreement will not stop every militant attack. This will go on for generations no matter what. Factor in Israels response and peace is out the window, and likely very quickly. All it takes to kill peace are a few warmongers on each side, and that will certainly be the case.

that for all Israel bashers the destruction of Israel is a rational goal. Israel in itself emobodies according to these bashers western colonialism. Th conlcusion is that Israel should not heed its bashers and stick to its policies that are the right thing to do. Obama will not stay for long and the new conservative movement loominmg in America is more principled and pro-Israel that the neo-cons. The stupid humanist left nowadays associated with Ahmenidajad have no future whatsoever

Please, don't be childish as your examples are pathetic. Should Jews speak to Germans? Well, that's also a ridiculous question, don't you think?! It doesn't hurt to talk or work with diplomacy. Israel hasn't achieved anything with stubborness and to honest Israel has no tricks up their sleeves. Well, maybe attack Iran to stall peace talks. Anyway, Israel has a much far worse enemy than Hamas. This monster's called extremisme (also Taliban, Al Qaeda, Orthodox Jews, ...). So, instead of ignoring Hamas, talks with Hamas can be an advantage for Israel's security, its people and the Palestinians.

maybe it was called fairy tales at one point. Now it is called liberalism. Here is the example: ..demonization of Hamas, dwelling on the organization's external attributes as perceived by Israel - religious, extremist and desiring all the territory between the river and the sea.. Here you have it, dwelling on the organization's external attributes as perceived by Israel. What Hamas itself proclaims almost every day does not matter. What their charter says does not matter. What their #1 openly stated goal is, is all the perception of Israel. Israel had dreamed this up. So even if they want to kill you regardless, question yourself why they want to kill you. look in the mirror, find your faults, chistise yurself, absolve the punishment, make them happy. The anger will disapear with the morning breeze.

Should the US talk to Hamas?or to Al-Qaida? Should the EU talk to Hizbollah?the spanish to ETA?the french to the Corsican separatist? the Chinese to the tibetan?the Turka to PKK?.....

I agree. Absolutely.

Talks should always be the first priority if there is something to talk about,but i cannot see any chance here.It is like asking one to talk to the undertaker about the conditions of one's funeral.The talks will give no results, and then they will blame Israel for that.Hamas can only speak with a gun,even when they "talk" to their own people it is with a gun.The only thing that will come out of such talks,is blaming Israel,and use it as a pretext for violece.

... where some of the leaders are worse than their sujects...

Mr. Zonsheine seems to be a little naive. In the meantime Islamic fundamentalists have overrun nearly all Europe. They have build their mosques in the smallest towns and appear very arrogant. They are not about to accept the European values and the values of the Enlightment. It is simple-hearted to believe they would ever tolerate and accept the State of Israel. Unfortenately some European states haven`t got the energy to defend their values. I hope Israel will be strong enough to hod its ground.

mine are comments on the present world situation regarding iran, syria, hezbollaha. indeed, i cannot even predict the reactions of israel or the u.s. every day brings a new reality. what i am quite certain is that none of the actors can escape history. they might only defend against its harshness and vageries. the leaders are the same as their subjects, whatever their self-important view of themselves.

... there will always be such defeatest predictions... but in reality chas-ve-chalila that we should live by them... just as we should not live with bogey-man tales...

Israel refused to talk to Arafat (PLO) but eventually it did. Iserael refuses to talk to Hamas, but will have to do it eventually. Israel must reflect again whether to face reality or continue to dream its unrealistic visions of Great-Israel, millions of Muslims in its own (partly annexed or conquered)territories and permanent loss of democracy, human-rights, Rule-of-Law and infra-structure of a civilized Western country. Talking is better than shooting or bombing and Israel is still strong enough to talk without risking its freedom. I said "still" !

fairy tales are lovely. they even imitate life through the teller's tale. however, today is no longer the age of fairy tales. today is the age of realism.

Hamas has agreed some two years ago to allow Abbas to negotiate on Behalf of the Palestinians as long as they , (Palestinians are allowed to put any agreement to the Vote. What more do you want. http://www.israeli-occupation.org/2009-10-23/henry-siegman-hamas-is-not-the-real-problem/ But those who are awake know what Isreal really wants. And it is certainly not PEACE.

when Israel favored Hamas over the PLO. Now there is no worse enemy than Hamas. But what if there is, lurking in the shadows? Already Hamas is complaining about losing grip in Gaza. Things will only get from bad to worse. Some sort of dialogue other than that of guns is called for. but I don't think it will happen anytime soon. Not that naive.

Israel was born of terrorism---and they had to be dealt with. The IRA (Nationalist side) and the UVF(loyalist side) both terrorist groups had to be talked to by Britain---itself not short of terrorist acts---like Israel. You have no choice Israel---Mitchell knows there is no resolution to this problem without Hamas.He knows the rabid settlers will have to be listened to. Mitchell knows a thing or two about peace making. Israel has to do a 180 about turn from it,s past. Can they---will they---do they want to????. Or is the slide to self destruction too steep to return.

10:18 Noam Shalit to U.S.: Freeing my son will solve humanitarian crisis in Gaza (Haaretz) Noam Shalit seems to think the US might have some leverage and be able to negotiate Gilad's release. Clearly, the current Israeli government isn't pursuing a successful strategy. Should the US start negotiations? We're not holding any prisoners they might want. What might the US have to offer as an incentive? Recognition? What has Noam Shalit been told the US could offer? The prior US administration helped Hamas to power. What should the current administration do? I don't see the US invading Gaza any more than I see the US invading Iran. Interesting question.

see einsteins paper in tel aviv !!

Quote: "...the tremendous joy that a prisoner exchange would produce, can and should be the lever for a stepped-up conciliation process." ... this simple wisdom is the heart of the matter... the 'open-sesame' of the most genuine peace process... ... how many years longer are we going to keep so many human beings incacerated in Israeli jails?...

...or Shalit himself? What they would like to have been done? Talk to Hamas? Maybe they have not been even asked...If not, then Israel seems not to care of the family tragedy.Only the stupid (?) pride of the politicians is in question?

It was okay to sell arms to apartheid South Africa, train the Shah's Savak, invest in corrupt and brutal African dictatorships, but not to talk to Hamas?

Shalit is a prisoner of war---get used to it, and if you dont like the results of occupation ---then end it. But stop the insufferable self-righteous whining. 7000 palestinian prisoners in Israel, many mere political prisoners and not "terrorists," endlessly detained, some subject to considerable torture (Oh, I forgot, its "moderate physical pressure"--no big deal, after all they're Arabs, they're not like us) and years without their families, while you fret whether Shalit got his Red Cross package. No one has trouble reminding us of the (real) agony of one Israeli family. No mention is ever made of the (real) suffering of thousands of Palestinian families. (Oh, I forgot,"they" are not like "us.")

And much to gain for the cause of peace by taking such an unprecedented step. Is that why this highly sensible proposition seems scary or unrealistic to some ? Peace is the great unknown, but it has to be better than the situation now, and most ordinary people on both sides are all for giving it a try. Mr Zonsheine speaks for them and their children.

Nothing will matter. Israel is ought to think for the future without support from the West and with Iran and its proxies in power.

there was a time when people thought that talking to hitler was a marvelous idea. lloyd george thought he was swell. stalin made a pact with him. they all thought that what he said was not what he meant. as a result, many millions died. hamas is but a totalitarian terror group and a proxy of iran. all attempts to achieve a diplomatic breakthrough with iran, including by the obama administration, have been futile. all attempts to get shalit back have been futile. hamas has preferred war rather than exchange shalit for many hundreds of terrorists. hamas, like its sponsor iran, is not a rational agent, unless you consider the aim to destroy israel to be a rational aim.

what wisdom is there in releasing hundreds of convicted murderers and thousands of would be murderers for one kidnapped soldier? Where is the IDF wisdom? where is the judicial wisdom? where is the legislative wisdom and where is the executive wisdom. those murderers are not POW's, repeat, they are not POW's. where is the elder shalits loyalty to his own state, his own people and his own religion and ethnicity. What man decent man would advocate the sacrifice of hundreds of lives for his son. This kind of attitude in a citizen is not only unheard of but fundamentally corrupt to the utter core of the society that tolerates it and worse, tolerates the many other supporters of such pure evil. There is no evil worse than the evil spewed by shalits family and the media that encourages it. They are advocating drowning most of the survivors in a boat just to ensure saving of their son. They and their supporters must be exiled from Israel forever.

The Jewish Nation has reestablished a sovereign state after 2,000 years. We are today stronger (militarily, economically, culturally, politically and in many other ways) and more united than at any time in our 6,000-year-long history. I would hardly call that a "failure." 3am Yisra'el 7ai!!

"Their religious belief states that the longest a peace should be maintained is 10 years. Then they are REQUIRED to break any peace with an enemy. " You can show this in their religious beliefs....WOW!!!! I'm all excited. Show me show me...NOW!. Article Thirty-One: ?As to those who have not borne arms against you on account of religion, nor turned you out of your dwellings, Allah forbiddeth you not to deal kindly with them, and to behave justly towards them; for Allah loveth those who act justly.? (The Tried ? verse 8). http://wp.me/PDB7k-Y#Hamas-charter

If Israel should talk to Hamas, then US should talk to AlQaida. Just as Al Qaida seeks destruction of the west, Hamas seeks destruction of Israel. You can't really imagine that all those wars and terrorists acts were about few extra miles of real estate. They are over a fundamental principle, Hamas wants Israel destroyed. That's what it says it its chapter and that's what it teaches to all its schoolchildren.

I can appreciate the value of diplomacy and having civilized discourse with sane people. However, the PA admittedly view diplomacy as non-binding and as a stalling mechanism. Their religious belief states that the longest a peace should be maintained is 10 years. Then they are REQUIRED to break any peace with an enemy. They have a stated desire to never accept peace with Israel, but only to destroy her. I wish the liberals in my country, and in beloved Israel, would understand that the PA does not WANT peace. They want to KILL YOU! They want your people wiped from the face of the earth and they will never be happy until that is accomplished. Diplomacy is impossible with such hatred and insanity. In fact, they also admittedly see capitulation and efforts toward peace as weakness and failure. Every time Israel comes to the table to "talk," the PA is outside spitting diatribe about how Israel has lost/failed again and how Zionism is failing altogether. Take your land back Israel!

The man is right Israel tried everything but talking to Hamas, it's time to change and to try different ways like to talk like human and civilize people they have nothing to loose

That is not simply what some yahoo in Gaza said last week while having a snit. It is their charter. Nothing they have ever said or done in the last 4 years indicates otherwise. Unless you consider 1000 for 1 a healthy negotiation.

You deal with the devil only where there is no alternative. Let's exhaust the alternatives first. Hamas is not in a position to threaten our existence, but that is what they want to achieve. Negotiating with Hamas will be giving a carte blanche to the everyone else to recognize Hamas as legitimate.

Wisdom must be restored, that also means very much opening dialogue. We cannot ignore hamas, they are a ligitame percentage of the side we need to make peace with now. Very simple - It can only be possible if we talk, and can only be impossible if we dont talk.

The big mistake Israel made, was to follow the good intentions of the USA and try democracy with the 'pal" elections.The "democratic" elections gave the gaza strip head in a silver plater to a gang of iranian sposored assassins.How can Israel "talk" to this gang of murderers...The only way is to hit them so hard,that they recognize the need to "get civilized",but this will never happen,as long the have the iranian backing

Israelis talk as if they decide who they will talk to and when. Arrogance blinded by power of a bygone era. Old habits die hard.

In ME affairs, cause and effect frequently become confused, but this article is particularly breath-taking. It is not incumbent upon Israel to open a dialogue with Hamas, but the reverse. Until that happens, there is nothing wrong with Israel trying to do everything it can to isolate and degrade a sworn enemy. It was only bc Israel pushed Arafat and the PLO to the point of oblivion in Tunisia that they finally agreed to bargain with the Jewish state. (Regardless of the PLO's sincerity, they did sit down and talk.) I also strongly disagree with the author's assertion that Gilad Shalit should be freed at any cost as an expression of Jewish values. It would be the height of idiocy -- and idiocy is not a Jewish value. Exchanging a 1000 prisoners for 1 encourages more abductions. Worse yet is trading live prisoners like Samir Kuntar for corpses. Not bc you shouldn't try to get the bodies back, but bc the enemy then no longer has an incentive to keep your captured troops alive.

YES SIR. whatever you say. but let me tell you something first we do not need advise from leftist second all day we hear comment from levey opinion from eldar sugesstion from amira if we impliment what you leftist tell us, there will be no state of Israel to worry about so shut up

What, did you think the readers of this newspaper are all blind sheeple you can spew nonsense at? How can it be possible to negotiate with a hostile, terrorist organization that actively promotes and engages in violence against civilians and in whose founding charter the goal of wiping Israel off the map is to be found? Negotiating with the LEGITIMATE representatives of the Palestinian people that didn't seize power with military force is a yes; negotiating with jew-killers/haters is not the prerogative of the international community. The credibility that Hamas currently enjoys in said community is a disgrace. Hopefully we will be sane enough to avoid doing the same with hizballah in Lebanon. Go to Ray Hananieh's website: http://www.yallapeace.com/principles.htm At least he seems to have the brains to come up with a solution that would be fair enough.

Looks like he'll be spending the rest of life in captivity, so it's not such a bad thing.

Even after the failures of the past 20 years, the Israeli left somehow keeps thinking that anyone cares about any of its recycled, arrogant, and deadly screeds. Here is some advice: you were rejected in the elections, and all of your heroes have left politics; either reform your insane ideas, or disappear from relevance altogether.