[Guardian-UK] Zvi Heifetz - It is now just over a year since Hamas came to power. The Hamas government was required by the international community to recognize Israel's right to exist, and to enable the resumption of earnest peace negotiations. But they have not been able to even contemplate recognizing Israel. Thus they have further increased the misery of their own people by perpetuating the pariah status of their government and by continuing to direct attacks against Israeli civilians. Even as suicide bombings and missile attacks on Israeli towns continue, Hamas still receives a platform for its demagogic show, blaming everybody but themselves for Palestinian oppression and suffering. It is time to call Hamas' bluff. Its leaders are watching outside reaction in an effort to strike a balance between international demands and their rejectionist ideology. Now the resolve of the international community will be put on trial, and if its determination holds, there is a greater likelihood of compromise on Hamas' part. The writer is the Israeli ambassador in London.
2007-02-20 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive