Hamas and Hudna: Caveat Emptor
The Absence of War Is Not Peace
By Steve Schippert
Hamas’ political head, Khaled Mashal, is playing to the
international thirst for an end to violence between the
Palestinians and Israel by offering words incongruous with
Hamas’ absolute refusal to recognize Israel or her right to
exist. With so many in the international community willing to
accept duplicity and long-term failure in exchange for a false
sense of relief today, Mashal knows he has a captive and
receptive audience in many circles outside the region.
In
what amounts essentially to
a repeat offer of hudna, the Hamas political leader warmed
to the wanting international audience Wednesday by saying
that, after Israel’s own March elections, Hamas would be
willing to offer a long-term truce (hudna) if Israel would
simply withdraw to the pre-1967 borders.
Said Hamas’ Mashal, “Such a peaceful move by Israel could
create conditions for the international community to find a
solution for all of the region’s problems. Otherwise, Hamas is
capable of leading the Palestinians in a long fight that they
would be better able to bear than Israel.”
Such overtures are put forth for international consumption
and lauded by headlines such as as ‘Hamas Ready to Talk with
Israel’. These should always be viewed in context with Hamas’
rhetoric offered elsewhere and their stated purpose and
objective.
[Read on
here.]
