'Unity Govt Won’t Recognize Israel’

Hisham Abu Taha
Arab News

GAZA CITY, 11 February 2007 — An aide to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said yesterday that the Palestinian unity government to be formed following the Makkah accord between Fatah and Hamas factions will not recognize Israel.

Ahmed Youssef, Haniyeh’s political adviser, said the unity government would “respect” previous Palestinian peace accords with Israel but would not be committed to them, nor to recognizing the Jewish state.

“The issue of recognition was not addressed at all (in Makkah),” Youssef said. “In the platform of the new government there will be no sign of recognition (of Israel), regardless of the pressures the United States and the Quartet would exert.” The Quartet — the United States, Russia, European Union, and the United Nations More.....

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Until this conflict is resolved, there will never be peace in the Mid-East.

Our support for Israel in this conflict, fuels the arab and muslims hate for our country. While many arabs or muslims in the Mid-East, not just the extremists, harbor resentment towards the U.S. for this unwavering support of Israel.

My personal feelings aside, Israel has the right to defend itself, as does every country. I believe we need to show our support for any country that is victim to terrorist attacks.

But Israel, right or wrong, seems to fuel the conflict at times and the U.S. allows them to do it with impunity. This blind support, needs to be reevaluated. The U.S. needs to realize, Israel only cares about Israel. They are not as special as they think they are.

I understand that Hamas is a terrorist group and needs to renounce their desire for the destruction of Israel to be accepted in the international community. But understand, part of the hatred towards the Jews from everyday muslims in the area is from them or their families being displaced when Israel was carved out and formed after WWII.

I may be incorrect, but I believe there are places in Israel where jews, arabs and Christians live in peace or relative peace.

Both sides need to respect the fact that each side has the right to live. Unfortunately, peace does not look like it is even on the horizon with Fatah and Hamas now just about in civil war.

Our country pushes for democratic elections by a body of free people. Well, like it or not, Hamas won some seats and we have to respect that. You know the saying - "Watch what you wish for."

Had sanctions not been put in place, and money was given as a gesture of good faith due to the free elections, do we know Hamas would continue to call for the destruction of Israel?

Without letting them taste acceptance to the international community, how would they know they want to join us? I feel giving them something, then threatening to take it away if they continued sponsoring terrorism, would have been more effective.

It would have shown the "people" in this area, we want to help and tried to help, but can't continue to help with the leaders you have elected.

I feel this would have three effects -

1. It would respect the will of the Palistinian people & their vote.

2. Allow the Palistinians to change their own government if terrorism is not stopped.

3. Puts them in control of their own destiny.

As long as Hamas & Fatah continue their in-fighting and violence against their own people, there will never be peace in Israel, or the Mid-East.

KING