Quote:
Originally Posted by donsutherland1 
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.
|
I'd agree but Hamas are not going to wake up tomorrow and suddenly change their mind. This will only be brought about by discussion with others - particularly Abbas - yet you criticize him for doing so. If you truely want this to happen you should be praising Abbas for trying to bring Hamas into the peace discussions and change their position, not saying this is damaging to the peace process.
Interestingly though you say "If a party does not recognize the other's legitimacy", yet Israel has refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the democratically elected Palestinian government.
Quote:
|
- 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.
|
Yes but this applies to both sides. Neither have shown a desire to stop their violence to the other yet. Its strange that Hamas can only join peace talks if it stops violence but Israel it not under any such requirement - BOTH should be compelled to do so.
Quote:
|
- Respect existing diplomatic agreements: If parties are unwilling to respect diplomatic agreements, their own diplomatic commitments are not credible.
|
Exactly what agreements are you referring to?
Quote:
|
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."
|
I have never said Hamas have done all they could, for sure they have not.
How about the other side of the coin though. The minimal step Israel could take to bringing forward the peace agreement is to stop building more settlements. In fact this requires Israel to actually do NOTHING - yet they refuse to do this and have never stopped this behaviour. If Israel cannot do the very minimum which is asked of it then we must seriously consider its commitment to any peace plan.