(Washington Post) Editorial - For several months the Palestinian Hamas movement has resisted domestic and international pressure to choose between governing the West Bank and Gaza, as it was elected to do in January, and continuing military and terrorist attacks against Israel. Now its own armed wing has forced a decision. Its brazen attack on military positions inside Israel on Sunday, and its capture and continued detention of a wounded Israeli serviceman, appeared to offer only two likely outcomes. Either Hamas' more moderate civilian leaders will, along with Mahmoud Abbas, assert their authority and obtain the release of Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit, or they will prompt Israel to launch military operations that could topple the government. If Hamas fails to embrace politics over violence now, it probably won't get another chance.
2006-06-28 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive