Only by coming to terms with the political realities will Hamas be able to help in achieving the long-standing dream of a Palestinian homeland. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
On hearing the decision between Hamas and Fatah to form a unity government in the third week of April, the Israelis were quick to issue a condemnation and cancelled a negotiation session due to take place that same evening.
Perhaps, the critics of this newfound unity between Fatah and Hamas forget that such steps might help in mainstreaming Hamas more and compel it to change its hardened historical stance. Only by coming to terms with the political realities will Hamas be able to help in achieving the long-standing dream of a Palestinian homeland. History is evident that extreme political solutions have only left Hamas more isolated and Gazans cut off entirely from the international community. The Gaza Strip is the most densely-populated piece of land on the planet with its residents not even able to enjoy the barest essentials of human existence. In addition, the threat of raining Israeli bombs and excursions always looms.
Considering that Palestinian unity is the first real step towards the realisation of a Palestinian state, Israel’s decision to withdraw from the peace talks certainly shows the side which is least interested in achieving Middle East peace.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 5th, 2014.
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Israel or its supporter west never intrested in peace any way so whats the point of withdrawing from talk and i think forming joint govt is a good step and will solve some problems of Gaza and other occupied terrotries.
Hamas has actually been formed by Israel and its support. This was to thwart the leadership of Fatah which according to Israel was a terrorist organization. One only negotiates with their enemies not friends. Nelson Mandela was branded a terrorist and put in jail for quarter of a century. Slavery, occupation, lack of hope and lack of respect and lack of basic civil rights breed terrorism and extremism. The argument "occupied are not ready for negotiation" is baseless. What negotiations when the occupier has all the powers and the other side none. Palestinians have never demanded an Islamic state, it was the Israel which started Hamas and to divert attention toward an Islamic state. It is a struggle for freedom nothing more or nothing less.