Israel should recognize the Palestinian unity government

[Doondoo]

The Israeli government can and should recognize the Palestinian unity government. Can recognize - because in his letter of appointment, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas calls on Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh "to honor the legitimate Arab and international resolutions and to honor the agreements signed by the Palestine Liberation Organization." This could be seen as a call to abide by the Oslo Accords, including the three demands leveled by the Quartet (recognizing Israel, honoring prior agreements and denouncing violence). Should recognize - because recognition of the new government is the only way now to renew negotiations with PA head Abbas, who has received the backing of all the Palestinian factions to conduct the talks.

Out of the plethora of declarations and reactions at the end of the Mecca conference, it was important to notice one headline, prominent in several media channels - the one concerning the comments by Hamas leader Khaled Meshal on the letter of appointment that Abbas wrote to Haniyeh. After promising that Hamas will be committed to this letter, Meshal added: "Hamas is adopting new political language."

.......

More than a year ago Hamas agreed, with the other Palestinian factions, to a cease-fire with Israel. This agreement was not so simple for an organization that has made its motto the principle of violent, uncompromising struggle against Israel. Hamas activists more or less maintained the cease-fire for most of the time. Later the movement agreed to participate in PA elections, first for local government and later for the Palestinian parliament. The parliament was created by and operates according to the Oslo Accords.

The decision to participate in elections was not easy for Hamas, as it meant the group was tacitly agreeing to operate as a political party and not as a military organization fighting Israel. Later, there were Hamas government decisions on a willingness to talk, on practical matters, with Israeli government ministries. Later came declarations of willingness for a long-term cease-fire, hudna, with Israel, that would be maintained by the Palestinian state to be established in 1967 borders. And now comes the decision to honor past agreements, which means "adopting new political language," according to Meshal.



http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=824556&contrassID=2&subContrassID=4&sbSubContrassID=0

[papau]

1. In arabic, does "respect"past PLO agreements w/ Israel = "honor" those agreements?

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-palestinians9feb09,1,891474.story?coll=la-headlines-world

Instead, the language is more oblique: The new government would "respect" international resolutions and past agreements between Israel and the Palestinians. This wording can be interpreted as providing tacit recognition of Israel, but it falls well short of international demands.

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If it does mean "honor", Israel should recognize the new unity government and see if a new, small practical, agreement that is designed so it must be signed by both governments can be signed by Israel and the PA government - it is certainly worth testing, in my opinion.

[pampango]

2. Well said. I think that would be a bold move that might shake

things up in a positive way.

The agreement in Mecca may be ambiguous as far as Hamas' intentions, but that ambiguity can cut both ways. By recognizing the unity government, Israel gains some initiative and may generate some momentum in a positive direction. Many issues remained to be worked out, and either side can stymie this progress by saying "I want my issues resolved before we discuss anything that you want."

If the recognition gambit didn't work, which is possible, if not likely, relations would revert to the way they are now with not much lost (other than another opportunity down the drain) and Israel might score some diplomatic points with the recognition effort.

[Shaktimaan]

3. There was a cease fire?

I must have missed it.

Later the movement agreed to participate in PA elections, first for local government and later for the Palestinian parliament. The parliament was created by and operates according to the Oslo Accords.

Right. But Hamas was always very vocal in their rejection of the Oslo Accords. Their decision to take advantage of some of the benefits it afforded them is far from tacit admission that they are abandoning their role outside of the PA as well. I care much less about official recognition of Israel than I do about a commitment to really honor past agreements. I think that an ability to do that would signify a big change in policy that would allow Israel the opportunity to actually negotiate with them. I mean, this whole process becomes farcical if future Palestinian governments reserve the right to totally disregard treaties agreed to by their prior leaders. If they could really commit to this promise I would be extremely happy.

[Totallybushed]

4. i agree, as

long as the government, and Hamas, unconditionally and unequivocally, recognize Israel's right to resist and cease all hostilities towards Israel, and further, enforce a cessation of hostilities on all Palestinian factions, even if they must use force to do it. After all, they have been using force against each other pretty regularly later, so they might as well do so good with it.