Israel & Gaza: talking across the divide.
After a week of renewed violence in Israel and Gaza -- hundreds of rockets fired from Gaza into Israel; more than 100 Palestinians killed by Israeli military action in Gaza -- there are more people asking: Why don't they just talk to each other? A recent Israeli opinion poll suggested that two-thirds of Israelis would favour direct talks with the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas, if it led to a lasting ceasefire, and there are some people already talking, albeit at an unofficial level. An Israeli and a Palestinian -- calling themselves Peace Man and Hope Man -- are talking via their joint blog Life must go on in Gaza and Sderot.
You can hear them talking to each other here.
The sticking point here seems to be that Hamas, in their charter and their daily statements, are sworn to destroy Israel and murder every Jew in the world.
To my mind, that would preclude any serious discussions.
Why don't the BBC and the Europeans take Hamas at their word?
Complain about this postDear Steve G,
I will check your claims, as you haven’t provided any sources.
Nevertheless: Hamas wouldn’t have existed if it hadn’t been for Likud.
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Hamas were democratically elected yet it seems that “Iran contra 2.0” in the shape of funding Mohammed Dahlan has raised its ugly head.
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Boycott Coca-Cola and have a nice day.
Complain about this postI sincerely hope a man with a gun and a powerful friend don't knock on my door and tell me God, in the dim and distant past, gave my house to him. If I oppose in any way thought to be violent, will I be a terrorist? Perhaps not, but will I be branded anti.......! Thank God I live in England!
Complain about this postPerhaps some might want to comment on the control over Israeli government policy by Orthodox fundamentalists?
No peace of any sort will possible for the region until the moderate majority takes over in Israel.
Complain about this post