EDITORIAL - Fatah-Hamas rapprochement should be welcomed

While it is hardly a surprise, Israel's decision to pull out of the latest edition of United States-brokered peace talks with the Palestinians over the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas is, to say the least, unfortunate.

It is not that we expected any significant breakthrough in these negotiations. Indeed, the signs were that with the deadline set by the Americans fast drawing near, little of real substance had been achieved. Moreover, the Fatah-Hamas deal was, perhaps, fortuitous for the Israeli premier, Benjamin Netanyahu, allowing him to extricate himself from a process into which he was forced by the Americans, but with plausible deniability of intent.

Our view, though, is that no matter how difficult or stressful, diplomacy should be pursued until it proves itself absolutely unviable in settling disputes. In that respect, John Kerry, the US secretary of state, is right in his pledge that America would not give up its "commitment to the possibility of peace", even though Washington was easy with the deal between the Palestinian factions.

More critically, by pulling out of the talks, the Israelis have not only forgone the opportunity to determine whether the Palestinian Authority can be taken at its word, but betray a naïve assumption that President Mahmoud Abbas could reach an agreement on lasting peace with Israel with critical constituencies marginalised from the process.

LEGITIMATE CONCERNS

Israel, of course, has legitimate concerns about Hamas, which it, the United States, and other countries have designated a terrorist organisation. Hamas does not recognise the right of existence of the Israeli state, into whose territory it often fires rockets.

But loath them as we like, Hamas can claim legitimacy among Palestinians. It won the 2006 legislative elections in the Palestinian territories but was kept out of government, leading to an escalation of clashes between its own forces and Fatah's fighters and Hamas' seizure of control of Gaza. It has survived in Gaza despite economic isolation and its sometimes nasty clashes with the Israeli military.

Which takes us back to the Fatah-Hamas rapprochement and the plan for a unity government and elections in the Palestinian territories within six months. First, this deal could fall apart. Two previous ones proved still-born. Further, we agree with Mr Abbas that there is "no incompatibility" between Palestinian reconciliation and the peace talks and it is, in fact, largely an internal matter.

SMALL, BUT GOOD STEP

Rather, reconciliation should be welcomed by all parties, even those that remain sceptical of Hamas being circumspect in their approach to the agreement. For a fragmented Palestine is the flip side of instability, which is good for no one. Indeed, a territorial/peace agreement with Israel, fashioned primarily by a Fatah-dominated PLO is unlikely to hold and could portend civil war. And having Hamas engaging in democratic politics would be a small step, but a good one, for the Palestinians, who are short of experience in democracy and democratic compromise.

There is, too, a lesson for Israel that the possibility of a Hamas, and the reality of its existence is, in part, the Jewish state's largely parsimonious approach to Palestinian aspirations, including the right to a state of contiguous territory, rather than Bantustans, or pockmarked with Israeli settlements. Or, looked at another way, Israel's right to exist and its security should be guaranteed in accordance with Security Council Resolution 242 of 1967 that essentially calls on Israel to pull back to its borders before the Six-Day War.

The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.