The mechanism for Hamas' participation already exists. The Madrid Quartet established a reasonable framework:

- Recognize Israel's right to exist: recognition is the beginning point for any serious diplomatic process. If a party does not recognize the other's legitimacy, then the party is not likely to bargain in good faith or to consider the other side's core needs, which are essential if diplomacy is to be successful.

- Abandon violence: if a dispute is to be addressed through the diplomatic process, violence should be avoided. Otherwise, there is little incentive for the parties to address their dispute through non-violent mechanisms.

- Respect existing diplomatic agreements: If parties are unwilling to respect diplomatic agreements, their own diplomatic commitments are not credible.

Hamas' unwillingness to take the minimal steps necessary for it to become a participant in the peace process is no accident. Hamas' Charter declares, "Initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences, are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement."