This was the message that Egyptian intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman carried to Washington this week in his meetings with the top US officials, asking them to adopt a more pragmatic and flexible stance on Hamas. That Egypt is seeking such a change in US policy in itself is a major development.
The US refusal to recognise and engage Hamas even after it was elected in 2006 is based on the premise that Hamas does not reject violence and recognise Israel. Although even the EU and UN follow the US position on Hamas, there are signs indicating a change in attitude from an earlier rigid position, emanating from Britain. Of course, the British government is yet to officially commit itself to such an initiative. However, a group of senior British politicians have urged their government to talk to Hamas. Britain’s own experience in Northern Ireland with the ‘terrorist’ IRA, is a useful referral for the necessity of dialogue to achieve positive results.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on a recent trip to the Middle East had categorically supported Mahmoud Abbas-led Palestinian Authority as the only legitimate representative authority of Palestinian people. Besides, Clinton had stressed that Hamas must respect the principles of the Middle East Quartet (comprising Russia, US, EU and the UN) that includes the recognition of Israel and compliance with past Palestinian-Israel agreements.
Refusal to deal with Hamas that the US calls a terrorist organisation (along with the EU and Israel) has further complicated matters as was evident in Gaza in the post-conflict period, earlier this year. The divisions between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) proved to be a major obstacle in the implementation of reconstruction efforts in Gaza after the three-week Israeli offensive ended in January.
The infighting between the two Palestinian factions ever since Hamas-ousted PA from Gaza in June 2007 continue with arrests and alleged torture of respective supporters. Ironically, the hostilities between the two leading Palestinian factions has only strengthened Israel’s position as it continues too exploit their differences, that inadvertently impede the demand of a separate state for the Palestinian people.
While Hamas may be reviled for its occasional rocket strikes into Israel, it enjoys popular support among the Palestinians and cannot be left out of talks especially in addressing the Palestinian Unity efforts, nor in other key matters centered on the future of the Palestine people. The Egyptian efforts with the US that aim to include Hamas in future talks are significant, considering that Egypt has played a key role in brokering peace not only between the Palestinian factions but also between Palestinians and Israel. This allows Egypt to talk from a position of strength, to press for the inclusion of Hamas. It is also possible that the change in Egypt’s stance is motivated by Hamas’ own willingness to move forward. Whatever the explanation, it’s a huge first step in ending the stalemate.
It is hoped that the international community that claims to be sincerely striving for the Middle East peace realises sooner rather than later that isolating Hamas is not going to help the cause of peace.
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