Opinion
Hamas' regional game
Prof Shaul Mishal
Published: 15.03.07, 10:35
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1. Very interesting analysis
Abdullah ,   EuMe   (03.15.07)
I tend to believe that it is in Israels's interest to take the diplomatic initiative first, then it can control the agenda. A good place to start is with "the right of return". If Israel takes the initiative on this issue then it could command the entire diplomatic inititiative. There are intelligent ways to adress this issue that will not harm Israel's sovereignty. But these solutions can only be developed and refined, when Israel accepts that this right exists and invests resources into finding "win-win" solutions to this problem. Bear in mind that the key to diplomatic success is not that your proposals are accepted enthusiastically (if at all) but that they're "acceptable". This places the diplomatic pressure on the other side. A comprehensive regional soln is needed to this problem IMHO, which among other things MUST take into account overdue compensation to Jews from middle-eastern countries. Unilateral withdrawals, land-for-peace and the like are all useless IMHO, at this point in time, so long as the right of return issues continue to exist. And this issue is the strongest diplomatic argument of the Palistinian side, so I don't see it going away. B'cos under humanitarian law all displaced people or their descendants (in place of the dsplaced) have a right to return to where they were displaced from and to damages.
2. Hamas' regional game
Yackov ,   Joburg   (03.15.07)
Who paid you for this article, the EU?
3. hear me out!
(03.15.07)
the right of return will never pass. israel is not stupid. they will NEVER LET IN ONE PALESTINIAN AS LONG AS WE LIVE AND BREATH. we can cut the borders and they can establish their own country. however, they'll not have the right to settle in ours, nor drown our small country with their suicide bombers and madmen.
4. To #3 and the idiot who wrote this article
Daniel ,   Formerly Israel   (03.15.07)
Hamas's moderating statements are a political ploy to get us to negotiate with them (they, like Fatah, are still telling their own people that they are working toward the destruction of the Jewish State). Ever since 1967 Israel has been strategically too strong to destroy militarily, the Jordan river and Golan highlands are very difficult borders to cross, and Hezbullah is no match for the Israeli army if it actually chooses to fight, and Egyt, the only Arab country capable of invading Israel, will not do it because then it will lose billions in U.S. aid. Therefore the Arab plan is to get us to "cut the borders", i.e. to brig ourseles back to the indefensible borders of 1967 with which, in the event of an Arab invasion, we will again have the 3-5 day life expectancy the Soviets gave us before the start of the six-day war. The Palestinians are pushing for the right of return because a demographic take over of Israel would be much quicker and easier than the long, arduous, and potentialy costly process of getting Israel to retreat and then destroying it militarily, but they know that they are unlikely to get the right of return from any Israeli government, so they keep asking for it just on the odd chance that they'll get lucky, but since they, unlike us, are realists and know that they probably won't get lucky they're working hard on the border-cutting plan.
5. to Abdullah
jj ,   montreal canada   (03.15.07)
I may agree with you. Israel can allow Palestinians back as soon as all Jews from Arab lands can do the same. Including Mecca and Medina, which were jewish before all of the jews were massecered, and all their posetions confiscated. How about Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, etc. ect. etc.
6. #3 - The unthinkable has happened
David S ,   Philadelphia, USA   (03.16.07)
Who would have thought of a pogrom in Israel, perpetrated on Jews by Jews? But it happened. And what did Israelis did? Some did the honorable thing, but most stayed home. Many cheered on. Sadly, at this point I don't discount anything. Were Olmert to accept the right of return....maybe as a condition for ceasefire in the next war, what would Israelis do?
7. #1 Abdullah. Re Right of Retun
CS ,   London, UK   (03.16.07)
Hullo Abdullah The PA right of return argument is not a logical one. How can the Palestinians on the one hand demand their own homeland then demand the right of return to Israel! It turns logic on its head. You could argue as many do that this is just a sinister way to try to dismantle the Israeli State by other means. Its simple. The right of return of Palestinian diaspora is the right of return to a Palestine. And dont forget for those who argue about the plight of Palestinian refugees as you suggest there are in fact more Jewish refugees from Arab and Muslim countries in Israel than all the Palestinian refugees. Lets not have this issue block yet again the path to peace. Yes you say there does need to be a recognition of the plight of the refugees on both sides but not one that undermines Israels very existence.
8. #7 CS and #5
Abdullah ,   EuMe   (03.16.07)
#7: "Lets not have this issue block yet again the path to peace. Yes you say there does need to be a recognition of the plight of the refugees on both sides but not one that undermines Israels very existence. " Abdullah: I agree with you. But I honestly don't see how recognising the right of return on the one hand, while admitting the unfeasibility on the other hand, of a mass right of return, undermines Israel's existence. I am pretty saure there are dilomatic ways to resolve this isse without undermining israel's existence. For example a compensation package in lieu of a physical return. #5: Whatevr soln. is good for the displaced Palistinians should be good for displaced Jews. Fair is fair. Perhaps begin tyo push to the Israeli govt. to fight for compensation for the descendants of displaced Jews. B'cos at present nil has been done, it seems.
9. #Abdullah 8
CS ,   London, UK   (03.16.07)
I think we can negotiate Pity the powers that be arent capable because lets face it - with the best will solutions can be found. Surely doesnt take fifty years! Often I believe that the pressure for change will come from the bottom up - by all sorts of people of good will to force politicains to bang heads together. Inshallah!
10. #7, explanation
T M H   (03.17.07)
you point out the logical lie very well. The pals and other arabs make thier statements that appear to say one thing, but really mean something else. like the question of the refugees, they say that the refugees have right of return, but really thier purpose is to destroy Israel by demographic takeover. so the homeland/return question is the same as the hamas position, when they say to resist occupation, and make everyone think they are only defending west bank, but truly, they say Israel is not a legal nation. So REALLY when they speak of "resisting occupation" they mean ALL of Israel, not just the west bank. there is so much hatred in Palestine, that PNA will never recognize Isreal, because they know that they will have civil war, with hamas leading the slaughter of thier own people. so everything they say is to the world "we are an unfairly suffering people" and the same time among themselves, "don't worry, we will destroy Israel no matter what" so all pals know that PNA public position is to believed by fools.
11. There is no right of return
Gee ,   Zikrov Yaakov   (03.17.07)
The claim that there is some inherit right to go to any country in the world does not pass the laugh test. There is no such right nor will there ever be. Demanding it is a waste of time.
12. Hamas' Regional Game
L. Edward Phillips ,   San Diego USA   (03.19.07)
Israel, do not trust any agreement made by the Hamas/Fascist/Arab- terrorist group and thier Saudi/Syrian/Iranian backers. The soul motivation for every political move they make is for the ultimate destruction of the nation of Israel, and another World War II style genocide of the Jewish people. Do not be fooled. Nothing has, or will ever change concerning the true motivation behind everything Islam says, or does. When they are in the minority, they want freedom and plurality out of every host nation. But when they are in power, they are intolerant and impose Islam upon everyone. Israel, stay vigilant. Stay well armed. Do not let these Muslims become your Masters!! Do not relinquish the land that Jehovah God has given back to you!!
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