Retired IDF major general and a former national security advisor Giora Eiland and Finance Minister Yair Lapid are of the opinion that Israel can enter into negotiations with the Hamas terrorist organization. They announced they believe there may be diplomatic channels that permit a dialogue with Hamas.
Eiland explains that Israel has shown de facto recognition of Hamas’ rule in Gaza, as was seen when state officials negotiated with Gaza towards gaining the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Echoing Eiland’s remarks somewhat, Lapid over the weekend stated that under the right circumstances talks with Hamas may begin, adding “it is not like there have not been talks in the past”. Lapid told the Wall Street Journal that in the past Israel viewed the PLO and Yasser Arafat as terrorists and ultimately entered into talks with him. He feels the situation regarding Hamas is no different.
State officials including Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu have publically refused to recognize Hamas and have indicated talking with the terrorist organization is a non-starter.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
next will be talking with iran, watch out NK..
Given modern communications (cell phones with global coverage, email, Facebook, etc.), communications between countries at war with each other is not a problem. Once upon a time it would involve all sorts of stealth for Israel to send a message to Hamas, or vice versa. But this is the 21st century. There are political reasons they might not want to talk to each others, but communications are possible (and easy).