You make peace with your enemies

News of Hamas/Fatah rapproachement–that’s diplomatese for kissing and making up–has agitated Israel and the United States, which found it more convenient to deal with divided Palestinians and pursue peace only with the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank.  Washington and Tel Aviv say Hamas, which controls Gaza, is a terrorist organization that targets Israeli civilians and is therefore not a legitimate negotiating partner.

This is odd.  You make peace with your enemies.  Israel is well within its rights to defend against Hamas and otherr attacks, including by attacking Gaza (as it has repeatedly).  But to refuse to negotiate with the people doing the most harm condemns Israel to perpetual war.  And to expect the Palestinians to remain divided so that Israel can deal with the ones it likes and not with the ones it doesn’t like is unrealistic.

The vital question is whether there is any hope for peace with Hamas.  Opinions differ on this important issue.  A former head of the Mossad and national security advisor to Ariel Sharon  suggests it is worth a try.  Three years ago most Israelis agreed. Many others say no.  Hamas says peace talks with Israel are not on the agenda of the interim government it is to form with Fatah in preparation for Palestinian elections.

So Israel and the United States have something like eight months to think about this issue.  Unfortunately, Israel will do so with a government that seems not to want peace on terms that are even remotely acceptable to the Palestinians.  We’ll hear more about this side of things directly from Prime Minister Netanyahu when he addresses the U.S. Congress next month.  The Americans have had little luck with the so-called Middle East peace process so far.  Will they, and the Israelis, be prepared to talk with a new, post-election Palestinian Authority that will likely include Hamas participation in some form?  And will Hamas be prepared to talk with Israel and the United States?

The flux in the Arab world makes it really very difficult to imagine the conditions under which such decisions will be made eight months hence.  Let’s hope they improve the likelihood of a serious peace process.