Israel needs to listen to Hamas, and take notice

There is a saying in my country " that he who wants the last drop out the can gets the lid on his nose." Netanyahu is betting on that one

israel has only one partner for negotiations......the PA ...........as for any other party......well, it's up to the PA to have their representatives in the negotiating team as long as they clearly commit themselves to recognize and abide by all the agreements signed on and agreed to by the p.å

Haaretz editorialists say Israel must grab at straws hen everything in past evidence say that Israel should finally abandon negotiations with those who only seek a step through "peace" towards the ultimate end of Israel. Cease fires are only used to build up more dangerous armaments and kill more israeli civilians. A paradigm shift is needed away from faux peace efforts, towards facts not fiction. Any child can see what is going on with the hamas fatah unity ruse.

What is there in the Hamas charter, and in the statements made directly in Arabic to Hamas followers, still calling for the destruction of Israel, that the Haaretz editorial writers don't understand?

If a nation must have a terror threat, Hamas is the terror group of choice. It has been years since they have killed anybody, but Israel still builds them up into the most dangerous group on earth. Hamas has indicated on several occassions that they would support peace based on the 1967 borders. Israel ignored them. The greates threat that Hamas presents to Israel is the threat of making peace. This is why Israel will have no official contact with Hamas nor will they allow America to have any official contact with hamas.

Which Hamas ? They are themselves not listening to each others ! Their missiles on Israel coming from different directions and from different terrorists. And none of them can be trusted only by fools & the like of them. This is an advice that can only made by an illiterate !

"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." Assoc. Press (2 Dec. 2010)// Hamas had these positions for some years now, expressed years before by Meshaal and repeated recently. 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). The US still refrains from contacts with Hamas, which is a mistake, caused probably by AIPAC pressure. But this too will change, although slooowly. Israel of course will be the last to recognize the change. A similar story occured with the PLO. The US started talking with Arafat in 1988. It took Israel four more years, until Shamir's Likud government was replaced by Rabin's. Unfortunately, by that time Hamas was already in full swing and would become a challenge to the PLO. Late understanding has its price, including the present rocket attacks and future ones.

Gentlemen, there is nothing like peace. Peace brings out development, interpersonal, social, cultural and religious harmony. Let Israelis and Palestinians find common ground for peace, please.

Gentlemen, there is nothing like peace. Peace brings out development, interpersonal, social, cultural and religious harmony. Let Israelis and Palestinians find common ground for peace, please.

I think Ha'aretz needs to listen. Or maybe take of those pink visors they have been using. You read Hamas's declaration to the end not just the first few words. It does mention the continued struggle for our annihilation, after they get a state. So you want to give it to them in order to get them closer to their final destination? Wake up guys, the coffee in the middle east is brewing and it doesn't smell like good Turkish coffee. They even succeeded in spoiling that.

At the website -http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/151160#.TvxqvPJPSO5- you can hear the recent, (several days ago), speech of Ismael Haniyeh, someone who speaks with greater authority and knowledge of the goals and tactics of Hamas than the editors of Haaretz. It is clear from and explicit in that public speech that, whatever tactical changes being made, the long term "strategic" goal of Hamas is a Palestine from the "ocean to the river". Your left wing dream pills may lull you to sleep work on you but Hamas does not take the same medicine..

This is not meant to be a negative comment, but I am incapable of understanding Jewish logic or reasoning. Here is the way I see it. A few thousands of years ago the ancestors of the modern day Jews invaded what is presently known as Palestine and Israel with order to kill every man woman and child, and drive out the ancestors of the modern day Arabs. The Jews won that battle but the Arabs don’t accept that the war is over, and won’t be content until they drive the invaders out. I believe this to be the real scenario. Because the Arabs haven’t given up the struggle over the past few thousand years, they are not likely to give up over the next few thousand years. It seems to me that the Arabs are not opposed to the Jews living in this part of the world; they are opposed to a Jewish state. If we leave God out of the argument, and if the Jews would drop their stubbornness and admit they did originally invade, owe the original occupants some kind of compensation, and if the Arabs could accept that the Jews have no place else to call home, perhaps they could come to some kind of an agreement whereby they can live together in harmony. Perhaps they could form a federation of two provinces with their present capitals remaining as provincial capitals and Jerusalem becoming the federal capital. In a court of law the Arabs would win, in the court of public opinion the Arabs have already won. If the people of Israel ever want to know peace they are going to have to negotiate honestly, unless of course they want to continue to carry out their original order the kill every man woman and child and all their animals.

coming from additional news sources that Abbas is preparing for a third intifada. An intifada that will including rushing the boarders by thousands of Palestinians and violent demonstrations at the gates of settlements. Why are you reporting all of the facts Haaretz? Ok, go ahead, hit the censor-it button.

Israel's military is like a dead man walking and Hamas recognizes this . Amazing isn't it? Yet the writing has been on the Wall for a long time as people have been turning against war making and unrest..... Not just since the misled war on Iraq & the blood- bath it unleashed between Sunnis & Shiites and the unjust expansion of that war into Afghanistan and parts of Africa...today. But since the Vietnam War and government lies and the insanity of the weapons build up during the Cold War, plus the Cuban Missile Crisis ..... And let us not forget JFK's Bay of Pigs. (He threat- ened to smash the CIA into a thousand pieces and throw them into the wind for getting him involved in that conflict....(see url below.) Plus, all the European countries have given up their war making and control of the colonies too. Only the elite in the American establishment con- inue with their foolish designs but they are failing and will continue to fail all over the Middle East as they did in Latin American for the last 60 yrs (see URL below.) Today, Americans are demanding the war money come home , cities majors have joined the chorus of voices as well and say they need the money to repair or replace aging infrastructure and bridge the gap in their budgets... So go on talking about your military strikes and aggression just don't be surprised to find your- selves forced to kiss the Middle East goodbye as people won't support your stay there..Dutch http://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Ashes-History-Tim-Weiner/dp/038551445X

We need a new way of thinking,because nothing else is working...unless we ARE just intent on expansion and maintaining staus quo and no progress towards a 2 state solution.We do not make peace with our friends...and we could not anyway because Leiberman,and others have destroyed our relationships...except for USA which is embarrased and so abstains or vetoes...We make peace with our 'enemies'.We cannot afford not to! Do not ignore offers from Hamas until forgotten by our citizens,so that we can continue to accuse them of total intransigence.

As part of the Good Friday agreement the Irish Republic recognised British Sovereignty over Northern Ireland and renounced it,s 700 year right to regain the six Couties by military means. However,they did not relinquish their right to working towards reunion by political means. Hamas too is working in the same way but this is where the parrellelism ends. israel is not interested in making peace with any Palestinian --far left--or right--liberal or conservative--dead or alive. I think by now even those with the thickest skulls realise that. it is time for the civilised world to help Israel,s Jews to change their approach and dump their war mongering leaders. Or lose their lebenstraum. After note--Ireland is doing just fine on the political front--the Queen was given a tumultuous reception earlier this year .She visited our national shrine where she bowed her head in hounour of Irish patriots who had given their lives(many executed by Britain) fighting against british imperialism. You see --peace is possible --if both sides want it. Israel has moved farther to the right--Hamas is changing much to Israel,s chagrin.

The 'foxhole mentality' is the 'Massada complex' in disguise. These are the times we're living through. We are lead by people who have nothing to offer of a vision for peace and stability for us our children and grandchildren. What we get is paranoia pumped into the air we breathe - wait and see how Mossad Chief Tamir Perdo will be branded as a Lefty for what he said about the Iranian nuclear capability - should they acquire it - not being an existential threat to us. Our leaders and their nationalist and religious partners follow a narrow philosophy of "they're all against us, they want to destroy us, no one understands how we suffer and have suffered for centuries". Hamas is like Iran - they do not pose an existential threat to us. But the killings of our people for which they have been responsible make it bloody hard for us in these times to smile and wish them 'Mabruk!' We ought to be congratulating ourselves for proving that we are strong enough to have forced them to change their methodology. After Meshal's declaration we should welcome that change and step down from Massada, for all we really have to fear is fear itself, and not the paranoia that keeps the nation frightened and Bibi and chums in power.

One can understand the position of successive Israeli governments, including the current administration. It is a position borne out of a struggle for national self-determination during a relatively short period of time and, not surprisingly, does not reflect the skills of diplomacy exercised by more mature states. However much Israel wishes that its neighbors, with their dominant faith, will disappear quietly it is never going to happen. The Israeli state was established in a historically volatile region but, as a democratic state (imperfect, yes, like all others) it has the historic opportunity of exercising international leadership. Israel must therefore stop parroting the belligerent actions of others and start talking - even, and especially, with Hamas..

And we can still smell the burning museums and libraries in Cairo.

As with my previous post, this pretty much compares to the Northern Ireland peace process, with the following elements: 1) A very, very sceptical Unionist Movement 2) Cautious but welcoming comments from UK, Irish governments and the press in general 3) A UK population tired of violence and understanding that this whole sorry mess was triggered out of the failure to acknowledge the civil rights of the 60's catholic movement. Since the IRA made those very historical pronouncements, to give up armed struggle, was seen as an absolute historical moment. Remember, the mantra was Bombs and the Ballot box. Has it worked? Largely yes, but the extreme hard liners of the Continuity IRA continues - for some people violence is s way of life... So... A perfect peace? No. But one which does not alienate an entire population is worth the gamble. And it's a fool that turns the chance down.

Hamas wants to ride the wagon to the West Bank, knowing it's Israel's soft underbelly. To believe him is like believing Ahmadinejad, Nasrallah or Assad. Not to yield to his tactics isn't missing anything historical, but sound, serene, Ulysses knowing he must return home without being lured by terrorist sirens, whose explicit failure to recognize Israel's right to exist even in one square inch of Israel's own, legal territory, has been repeated. He knows he has been boosted by the Muslim Brotherhood's victory in Egypt, and is in a position of power to deceive wishful thinking leftists in the West, maybe even Obama.

i find it actualy funny that haaretz who are always telling us what a 2 faced liar Bibi is, ect ect ,but now you are telling us that a top spokeman from Hammas, is telling Gods own truth, and we should take notice. we all know that an Arab spokeman NEVER tels a lie, so we must take real notice of what they have to say. boy oh boy haarezt editorials are getting beyond a joke.Joseph Theeboom

Worth the paper they are not written on........

Hamas members used to be tortured to death or arrested and harrased by fatah security forces during their power(1994-2006). Hamas don't believe in stopping a militant group from responding to israel's attack as that would defy them and is hypocritical. If jihad islami, or al aqsa brigades are attacked hamas won't stop them and its usually around night no ones when and where. The point is israel should stop assasinating who ever it wants and expect no one to respond then instigate more violence, israel can do so much to keep it calm but seems like it is not interested. A ceasefire would be great for both sides but palestinians won't just drop their weopons like that

jewish democracy (Apartheid state). One state one man one vote coming soon.

Title of this article is just mad. There are people monitoring Hamas in Israel, one does not need to read Haaretz to gain knowledge on Hamas, but just to gain knowledge about these, who are close to them here inside Israel.

This is ridiculous. Take the advice of a madman outside your front door who has throwing rocks at and breaking your windows, carries an AK-47, and has been bragging to all his buddies that he will kill you and all your family if he gets a chance?

I always said it was the third intifada anyway, so I am coming down there to Gaza. Once this is all over I am going to mop up, if you get my drift, if need be.

you are not serious? so first they establish a state and then they will get back to armed struggle. Also, they still want right of return. So what has changed?

Something that he's promised the settlers - and boasted to them. What you can expect instead, is that Israel is going to push as many buttons as possible to spark a renewal of hostilities. The IDF is spinning up for a repeat of Cast Lead - oh you bet it is - because its PLANNING on it!

It's already begun - with the last two strikes and a dreamed up story of thwarting an attack on the Egyptian border. There'll be more to come!