World

Hamas official: Not talking about Israel's destruction

by tikun | January 29, 2009 at 05:28 am

381 views | 46 Recommendations | 13 comments

There is a new struggle within the Hamas organization between the so-called moderates and those that want to destroy the State of Israel. Who will come out on top remains to be seen. But this is a bit encouraging if true.

Senior officials in the Islamic group Hamas are indicating a willingness to negotiate a deal for a long-term truce with Israel as long as the borders of Gaza are opened to the rest of the world.

"We want to be part of the international community," Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad told The Associated Press at the Gaza-Egypt border, where he was coordinating Arab aid shipments. "I think Hamas has no interest now to increase the number of crises in Gaza or to challenge the world."

The militants appear to be in the throes of an internal power struggle between hard-liners and pragmatists. Which group comes out on top will likely depend on who is able to garner the most benefits in postwar Gaza.

With hawks urging more violence, the window of opportunity to boost the voices of relative moderation is likely to be short.

"We accept a state in the '67 borders," said Hamad. "We are not talking about the destruction of Israel."

One hardline Hamas politician, Yehiel El Abadsa, said his group should not reconcile with Fatah and that Hamas "will be the ones to rebuild Gaza."

That position may well put him at odds with the majority of Gaza's 1.4 million inhabitants, who seem to be clamoring for an end to the divisions that are distancing their dreams for a state of their own.

"Even if money falls from the sky and we are still divided like this, we'll never accomplish anything," said 55-year-old Mohammed Abed Rabbo, sitting outside his bombed-out house in northern Gaza

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

158

at 06:29 on January 29th, 2009

"We accept a state in the '67 borders," said Hamad. "We are not talking about the destruction of Israel."

That is good news if it becomes Hamas policy,

While a 100% return to 1967 borders will not happen srtill this forms a basis fdor negotiatrions.

Paschen

at 06:37 on January 29th, 2009

Hamas did state on several occasions that it will recognize Israel with in the Borders of pre 1967. This was said has they where elected and on numerous other occasions as well.

158

at 07:28 on January 29th, 2009

True, Paschen, some have while others at the same time talk of destroying Israel. Om the past month Zahar and Meshal have called for eliminating Israel. If they would all come together and say Israel can exist, I think peace is possible.

nyctuber

at 09:59 on January 29th, 2009

So, they'll accept the '67 borders, which essentially means they can still justify firing rockets at innocent Israeli citizens, because that's not going to happen. If Israel hadn't been continuously attacked since it's inception, there would have been little need to expand it's borders. The Palestinians have themselves to blame for Arafat turning down a Palestinian State a long time ago. Israel offered them their own State in '67 as well and they turned that down too. Too bad.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 11:39 on January 29th, 2009

What about the Oslo Accords? Perhaps it is time to start re-thinking the entire situation.

René

at 12:56 on January 29th, 2009

You mean the one the Nobel prize winner spit on.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 20:07 on January 30th, 2009

Hi, Rene! Are you referring to Elie Wiesel?

René

at 13:29 on January 29th, 2009

I have a hard time believing this from Hamas. They are just waiting for the supplies of new Grad-model Katyusha rockets from Iran that Egypt has managed to stall.

djsblack

at 13:43 on January 29th, 2009

Hamas will say anything at anytime to achieve their tactical and short term advantage.

tikun

at 13:52 on January 29th, 2009

I am afraid that I concur. According to their charter and Religious beliefs you can say whatever you want, including lie in order to do what is necessary to overcome the infidel. I will wait and see for some real concrete action on the ground before jumping for joy. But this is news and needed to be shared.

Red Cyclon

at 17:37 on January 29th, 2009

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

Gentlemen

I am of the opinion that Israel don not want peace and uses negotiations sine the Oslo Accord to gain time and build more settlements in the West Bank. The Arabs proposed in Beirut in their head of States Summit in 2002 a very simple peace plan calling for the withdrawal of Israeli to the 1967 Border and the return of the Palestinians refugees , for Arabs recognition of Israel and their right to live in peace in a secured boarders plus Diplomatic and commercial relations, But the Israeli reaction was not only rejection of the proposal, but they invaded the west bank killing hundreds in Jenin refugee camp and laid a siege on the Palestinian authority President Mr. Yasser Arafat up to the time of his death.

With Hamas or without Hamas, Israel have no intention of making Peace. Terror will create more terror.Can the World force Israel to accept a durable and long lasting peace, should be the Topic.

tikun

at 10:56 on January 30th, 2009

I think that you really need to do your home work. In fact, if you care to spend some time and see the movie "farewell Israel" at http://farewellisrael.com/home.html

you will get a better understanding of the meanings behind all the rhetoric in the Middle East. What you think peace means isn't necessarily what is meant here. For example is it Peace with Justice or Sulhah? There is a very big difference but westerners do not even have a clue about the difference and its meaning. I will try in the future to present these important terms and their implications to NP soon.