The New Era: Hamas Versus Kadima
The newly created centrist Israeli party Kadima has won 28 seats in the Knesset from a total of 120. Labor came in second place with 20 seats and the conservative parties Yisrael Beitenu and Likud took 12 and 11 respectively. Kadima has not won by a landslide as predicted but have taken precedence in the Knesset. They will be able to lay out their centrist and less conservative/orthodox solution to the current problem’s stagnation.
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has promised to work toward a compromise with the Palestinians but clearly stated that “We [the Israelis] will not wait forever.” Kadima’s win was subsequently followed by an American and Canadian refusal to contract with Hamas unless they renounce violence and abide by forming a two-state solution.
The political environment has rapidly changed since Hamas’ landslide win last January. International reaction to Hamas’gain of power was largely one-sided. It is worrying both Arab and Western countries. Both Canada and the US have clearly exemplified their skepticism and cautiousness. As discussed in my previous posts, forecasting future Palestinian-Israeli relationships is at this point ambivalent (given both an optimistic and pessimistic perspective). On the one hand, former US president Jimmy Carter argued that Hamas should be given a chance while on the other hand Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been touring the Middle East and Europe encouraging governments to curtail aid to Hamas.
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh promised to give the Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas a chance to negotiate with Israel. This should certainly shed some essence of optimism and possibly alleviate some of the tensions and skepticism rampant on the global forum.
From an Egyptian perspective, Hosni Mubarak has refused to fund Hamas or even meet with them. Moreover, he has boycotted a visit to the Knesset since his accession to power in the fear of being assassinated like his predecessor Anwar Sadat. Also, since the Muslim Brotherhood has accentuated their stance and gained momentum, Mubarak needs to be careful with his foreign policy, especially with Israel and the US. Hamas have already made close friends with the Muslim Brotherhood which has proven to be a formidable adversary to Mubarak’s National Democratic Party (NDP) and so the dynamics are sensitive and require accurate calculations.
It is difficult to realize what to expect. However, Hamas will need to be watched closely and their militant activity monitored. They have already learned that using the ‘stick’ approach will not gain them international acknowledgment and recognition nor will they be able to gain worthy concessions. Hamas need to cooperate with neighboring Arab countries as well as Mahmoud Abbas to reach pragmatic compromises to the problem.
Change should be embraced at this point, the momentous political events of the last few months will be the protagonists in instigating a new era.
Olmert has promised a table for negotiation which Hamas has already been invited. This is a chance for them to redeem themselves and offer a civil approach to the problem. Hamas need to RSVP soon before it is too late and before the Palestinians start to give up. This is critical as it will reduce the likelihood of commencing another intifida which has sparked immense violence from both Israelis and Palestinians in recent decades.
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has promised to work toward a compromise with the Palestinians but clearly stated that “We [the Israelis] will not wait forever.” Kadima’s win was subsequently followed by an American and Canadian refusal to contract with Hamas unless they renounce violence and abide by forming a two-state solution.
The political environment has rapidly changed since Hamas’ landslide win last January. International reaction to Hamas’gain of power was largely one-sided. It is worrying both Arab and Western countries. Both Canada and the US have clearly exemplified their skepticism and cautiousness. As discussed in my previous posts, forecasting future Palestinian-Israeli relationships is at this point ambivalent (given both an optimistic and pessimistic perspective). On the one hand, former US president Jimmy Carter argued that Hamas should be given a chance while on the other hand Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been touring the Middle East and Europe encouraging governments to curtail aid to Hamas.
According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh promised to give the Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas a chance to negotiate with Israel. This should certainly shed some essence of optimism and possibly alleviate some of the tensions and skepticism rampant on the global forum.
From an Egyptian perspective, Hosni Mubarak has refused to fund Hamas or even meet with them. Moreover, he has boycotted a visit to the Knesset since his accession to power in the fear of being assassinated like his predecessor Anwar Sadat. Also, since the Muslim Brotherhood has accentuated their stance and gained momentum, Mubarak needs to be careful with his foreign policy, especially with Israel and the US. Hamas have already made close friends with the Muslim Brotherhood which has proven to be a formidable adversary to Mubarak’s National Democratic Party (NDP) and so the dynamics are sensitive and require accurate calculations.
It is difficult to realize what to expect. However, Hamas will need to be watched closely and their militant activity monitored. They have already learned that using the ‘stick’ approach will not gain them international acknowledgment and recognition nor will they be able to gain worthy concessions. Hamas need to cooperate with neighboring Arab countries as well as Mahmoud Abbas to reach pragmatic compromises to the problem.
Change should be embraced at this point, the momentous political events of the last few months will be the protagonists in instigating a new era.
Olmert has promised a table for negotiation which Hamas has already been invited. This is a chance for them to redeem themselves and offer a civil approach to the problem. Hamas need to RSVP soon before it is too late and before the Palestinians start to give up. This is critical as it will reduce the likelihood of commencing another intifida which has sparked immense violence from both Israelis and Palestinians in recent decades.
posted by The Egyptian Observer at 1:32 PM
3 Comments:
@dotblue. That is quite a subject for discussion.
Personally, as a Palestinian, I am against the occupation and the initial invasion of 1948 for obvious reasons.
However, today the damage has been done and pragmatically a two-state solution is the only road to peace.
On the one hand, Israelis need to abide by their promises and treaty agreements. On the other hand, Hamas needs to be diplomatic and able to negotiate.
Violence needs to end on both sides since this has been continuously self-perpetuating and has contributed to more bloodshed.
The situation is a lot more complicated then how I lay it out. However, this is the crux of my opinion and my thoughts.
What are your thoughts and opinions?
It is difficult to take sides with this.
Heavy rhetoric from both Israel and the supporters for a Palestinian state leaves no room for agreement.
As for Hamas, they have made their anti-Israel stance clear in their covenant. And yet, they must seek to govern while joined at the hip with Israel.
Will this result in a more moderate Hamas?
@dotblue. Historically speaking, Palestine should be for the Palestinians and there is no doubt about that.
It is true, the average person does not want violence but put yourself in the shoes of a Palestinian.
The average has lost everything, their home, their land, their source of income and their dignity. Do you think that those kicked out of their homes in 1948 (such as my grandfather) would be willing to compromise and negotiate?
I don't think so.
It is not about whether life in Palestine is bad that people should blow themselves up; in fact they have not yet been given a chance at life - properly.
The reason there are suicide bombings and violence is because the Palestinians have nothing to lose.
At this point, the majority is thinking about future generations as well as their children and their grand-children. Would they want to breed them in a situation like that of today?
No.
Thus, they are dedicated and strong-headed to gain back what is rightfully theirs. They will not accept what the Israelis have to offer because in their eyes, they should not be there to govern them or should they have the audacity to tell them what to do.
Now this is the rationale.
I will post very soon on my opinions of a current solution to the crisis.
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