(Guardian-UK) Zvi Heifetz - A recent article in the Guardian by the new Palestinian prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, was perfectly tailored for a liberal Western readership, presenting his movement, Hamas, as advocates for peace. One should judge Hamas, however, by more than articles intended for Western eyes. Hamas' own charter declares that "Israel will...continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it," while Khaled Mashaal, Hamas' most senior leader, promised Israelis after the Palestinian elections: "God willing, before they die, they will experience humiliation and degradation every day." The "moderate" Hamas rhetoric differs from the more extreme kind only in the method by which Israel is to be removed from the map. Hamas rejects negotiation, concessions, unilateral withdrawals, and recognition of Israel. It seems the Palestinians are sticking to their tried and tested "policy" of never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity. The writer is Israel's ambassador in London.
2006-04-07 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive