To the chagrin of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and America, Hamas has not only seized the popular support of Palestinians, but now drives the destiny of the wilting internationally-proposed road map for peace. Both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority are ready for peace and collaboration, indeed a difficult accomplishment. However, this is no longer enough. Years of corrosion of the Palestinian Authority's power and credibility has allowed the terrorist organization Hamas to seize control. Now, the road map's path to peace leads through Hamas.
The Aqaba summit paved over three years of violence and suffering -- both the hardliner Ariel Sharon and newly-appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas shaking hands and sensitively speaking of their counterpart's people's plights. In the background were George W. Bush and King Abdullah II, touting their resolute support for the roadmap's success. Mahmoud Abbas' true empathy towards the Israelis and dedication towards peace proved him not to be another Arafat. Sharon spoke of an envisioned two-state solution, and for the first time ever, denounced the "occupation" of the West Bank and of Gaza. Despite all the green lights, Hamas remained the largest impasse to peace. Just days afterward, these terrorists dispatched a homicide bomber and again perpetuated a cycle of violence. Would this be the shortest and least successful of all peace processes? It looked that way.
In an ideal world, the elimination of Hamas and other terrorist groups, i.e., Islamic Jihad, would clear the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state, since their violence serves as the only insurmountable impediment for progress in the peace plan. Israel cannot and should not make concessions while its people are suffering at the hands of bloodthirsty Hamas terrorists -- Israeli retaliations against the planners of these attacks are justified. Hamas' recent attempts to derail the peace plan have drawn international attention to the group. Even the overtly pro-Palestinian European Union has threatened to place Hamas on their own terrorist list -- an act America has already done. Finally the global community is slowly coming to grips with the fact that it is Hamas bringing suffering to the Palestinian people, not the Israeli government. Shockingly, while Bush and Blair demand that Hamas be placed on the EU's terrorist list, France contends the political wing of Hamas is a legitimate body. Although some money raised for Hamas eventually reaches Palestinians, much of it ends up funding the purchase of explosives and weapons for the murder of innocent people. Any group that endorses terrorism and genocide must be eliminated.
In this respect, Israel has the right to hunt down Hamas members and bring them to justice. However, simultaneously, Israel needs to aid in the reestablishment of the PA's credibility and its respectability amongst its people. "The dismantling of Hamas and other militant groups" proposed by Bush is an impossible mission by the Israelis. Obviously, a joint Israeli-PA routing of Hamas would spell disaster, not to mention impossibility for Abbas. With autonomous Palestinian Authority policemen, however, hunting Hamas seems a less daunting task. And although Arafat is still lurking in the background, the new Palestinian prime minister seems willing to work towards the road map. Sharon should continue to deconstruct settlements, free up PA funds and cooperate with Abbas. The Palestinian Authority, once a credible leader amongst the Palestinians no longer garners much support from its people. Years of corruption and false promises by Arafat have left the Palestinians disillusioned and desperate for guidance. Hamas has, unfortunately, succeeded where the PA has floundered. By providing charity and support to Palestinians, this spiderweb-like organization has gained notoriety and respect by the Palestinians. Their bombings and hate-filled rhetoric against Israelis appease some ire-filled Palestinians. They have effectively become the representative for the majority of Palestinians.
As appalling as it sounds, a terror organization is the current representative for the majority of Palestinians. Despite America's repeated plea to sever Hamas from the negotiating table, the European Union has not yet discounted the group Hamas as a political entity. Granting Hamas a voice in the peace plan's direction is a dangerous decision. Not only does it bestow validity to terrorist organizations and condone violence, it leaves the Palestinian people with a vile legacy. Whereas Israel was founded on the desire to create a better society for the Jewish people, Palestine's inception was the result of murder and terrorism. The world owes it to Israel and the Palestinian people to act responsibly and not negotiate with Hamas. Even with a ceasefire from Hamas, the peace plan must go on, without Hamas. Give Mahmoud Abbas a chance and keep the light green bright on the road map to peace.
