[Forward/Washington Institute for Near East Policy] Matthew Levitt - Some will recommend that Obama approve direct talks with Hamas. But Hamas is dead set against a two-state solution. Indeed, Hamas deploys suicide bombers specifically aimed at derailing progress toward peace. Engaging Hamas will not help the peace process, but it will legitimize the group most violently opposed to such progress. Engaging in direct diplomacy with Hamas while it targets civilian population centers would empower a movement designated as a terrorist group by both the United States and the European Union. It would also pull the carpet out from under Palestinian moderates who are truly interested in pursuing peace and are vying with Hamas for popular support. The Obama administration should take the opportunity to lead an international coalition bent on empowering Palestinian moderates and weakening extremists. The internationally recognized conditions for engaging Hamas are clear, and should be reaffirmed: renunciation of terrorism and political violence, respect for past agreements negotiated by the Palestinian Authority and recognition of Israel.
2009-01-04 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive