UPDATES

More evidence concerning Hamas’ supposed moderation

Oct 17, 2013 | Sharyn Mittelman

More evidence concerning Hamas' supposed moderation
Gershon Baskin

It has become almost conventional wisdom among some commentators that Hamas has moderated its traditional rejectionist stance and is now prepared to embrace a two-state solution – if only Israel will listen.

For example, in March, Fairfax senior journalist Paul McGeough interviewed Hamas leader Khaled Meshal and wrote, “Hamas’ embrace of a two-state solution is qualified, but it implicitly recognises Israel and it shrinks the movement’s ‘river to the sea’ territorial claims to the West Bank and Gaza…” This was despite Meshal stating in the interview, “This is why I say publicly … that I reject the [West’s] conditions – we will not recognise Israel. We will not renounce violence. We will not agree to all previous agreements entered into by the PLO.”

Here’s yet more proof that those who insist that, “if you would just listen carefully, Hamas is telling you that they are prepared to coexist with Israel and make peace”, are in fact listening to their own hopes and wishes more than anything actually emanating from Hamas’ leaders.

In a fascinating and candid interview, Gershon Baskin, veteran Israeli peace activist and founder of the Israeli Palestinian Centre for Research and Information, recounts his conversation with Ghazi Hamad, Hamas’ deputy foreign minister.

Baskin and Hamad have an interesting relationship. From June 2006 to October 2011, Baskin and Hamad conducted secret back-channel negotiations for the prisoner exchange deal that released Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners. Following Shalit’s release, they continue to talk to find a way of bringing about a long-term ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.

However, even Baskin admits, “We have conducted hundreds of hours of discussions over these years. I am often asked, ‘Is there anyone to talk to in Hamas?’ Hamad is thought to be one of the most pragmatic leaders in Hamas yet even he cannot accept the idea of recognizing Israel and making peace.”

Baskin recounts his conversation with Hamad on this issue:

“Gershon: Is Hamas interested in the two-state solution?

Ghazi: No.

Gershon: OK, so maybe there’s no partner on both sides?

Ghazi: We have no problem to establish our state on the ’67 borders but not to recognize Israel.

Gershon: But that’s not peace.

Ghazi: It’s mine, this land is mine; you should give it to me. You should not ask me to give you something in exchange. My land was stolen. I don’t have to give anything in return to get my land back. According to international resolutions, according to the UN Security Council, this is Palestinian territory.

Gershon: Ghazi, in all honesty, it seems to me that Hamas is in real crisis now. You have lost the support of your friends and allies. The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is gone. Qatar is not so friendly anymore. Maybe it is time for Hamas to re-evaluate its entire position and come to new conclusions. Haven’t the Palestinian people suffered long enough?

Ghazi: We will not surrender our rights. We will continue to struggle as long as it takes.”

Ghazi provides no wiggle room for creative re-intepretation of the sort advocates for dialogue with Hamas sometimes employ.

Overall, the interview flies in the face of commentators like McGeough who argue that Hamas is willing to recognise Israel and reach a pragmatic peace. Moreover, the people documenting this reality are Baskin, one of Israel’s best-known advocates of dialogue with Hamas and Ghazi, a Hamas leader recognised as one of the terror group’s most pragmatic.

If we want to understand Hamas, perhaps it’s time to listen to what Hamas leaders are actually saying.

Sharyn Mittelman

 

Tags:

RELATED ARTICLES


Image: Shutterstock

Nine months after Oct. 7: Where Israel stands now

Jul 10, 2024 | Update
Palestinian Red Crescent workers from Al-Najjar Hospital in the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip (Image: Shutterstock)

Hamas’ impossible casualty figures

Mar 28, 2024 | Update
455daec3 C2a8 8752 C215 B7bd062c6bbc

After the Israel-Hamas ceasefire for hostages deal

Nov 29, 2023 | Update
Screenshot of Hamas bodycam footage as terrorists approach an Israeli vehicle during the terror organisation's October 7, 2023 attack in southern Israel, released by the IDF and GPO (Screenshot)

Horror on Video / International Law and the Hamas War

Oct 31, 2023 | Update
Sderot, Israel. 7th Oct, 2023. Bodies of dead Israelis lie on the ground following the attacks of Hamas (Image: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa/Alamy Live News)

Israel’s Sept. 11, only worse

Oct 11, 2023 | Update
Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu (r) gets his long-awaited face-to-face meeting with US President Joe Biden in New York (Photo: Avi Ohayon, Israeli Government Press Office)

Netanyahu meets Biden, other world leaders, in New York

Sep 27, 2023 | Update

RECENT POSTS

Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong at the United Nations, New York (image: United Nations/screenshot)

Wong’s Middle East proposals would make things worse

October 7 Commemoration, Jewish Care Melbourne 7.10.2024

October 7 commemoration in Melbourne

The "Forever War" was declared by Hamas long before October 7 (Image: Shutterstock)

Hamas’ 7 October attack, one year on: How it’s changed the Middle East

The author's son at the Nova Festival memorial site in Israel

When our Miracle Day turned Black

Mark Leibler with PM Bob Hawke in the 1980s

‘Genocide’ the modern-day blood libel to demonise Jews

Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong at the United Nations, New York (image: United Nations/screenshot)

Wong’s Middle East proposals would make things worse

October 7 Commemoration, Jewish Care Melbourne 7.10.2024

October 7 commemoration in Melbourne

The "Forever War" was declared by Hamas long before October 7 (Image: Shutterstock)

Hamas’ 7 October attack, one year on: How it’s changed the Middle East

The author's son at the Nova Festival memorial site in Israel

When our Miracle Day turned Black

Mark Leibler with PM Bob Hawke in the 1980s

‘Genocide’ the modern-day blood libel to demonise Jews

SORT BY TOPICS