(New York Times) Editorial - The responsibility for this latest escalation rests squarely with Hamas, whose military wing tunneled into Israel on Sunday, killed two Israeli soldiers, and kidnapped another. This was a follow-up to a declaration earlier this month by Hamas' political leadership that the group's 16-month intermittent cease-fire would no longer be observed. When Hamas was only an opposition movement, its provocative behavior was a major impediment to peace. As a governing party, it is far worse. Contrary to the hopes of many outsiders, five months in government has failed to educate Hamas to the reality of the world the Palestinians live in. If things go on like this, Palestinians can look forward to endless rounds of reckless Hamas provocations and inexorable Israeli responses. That is why things must not be allowed to go on like this. It is not just Israel that needs to be delivering that message to Hamas.
2006-06-29 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive