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Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22670/negotiating-with-terrorist-regimes
Why Negotiating with Terrorist Regimes such as Hamas and Iran Is a Terrible Idea
(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - The Trump Administration is making a big mistake by engaging in negotiations with Hamas - as well as Iran. These negotiations legitimize them as political actors and, for Hamas, only strengthen their standing among Palestinians. Reports that senior U.S. officials have been holding direct meetings with Hamas representatives come only days after Hamas successfully crushed anti-Hamas demonstrations in Gaza on June 26. Instead of debating whether Hamas should disarm, negotiators now appear to be debating how much of its military capability it should be allowed to keep. That is exactly how terrorist organizations manipulate diplomacy. The latest Hamas delegation to Cairo arrived not to announce its surrender but to present new demands. In short, Hamas, while remaining fully armed, continues to dictate conditions. It is the behavior of a movement convinced that time is on its side. Instead of legitimizing terrorist groups that openly seek Israel's and America's destruction, the U.S. should insist on the full implementation of its own peace plans - each with a firm deadline - beginning with Hamas's unconditional disarmament and removal from power.