As you well know, Secretary of State John Kerry has been working tirelessly to launch a major new peace initiative between Israelis and Palestinians.
The basis of any such effort, of course, has to be a two-state solution -- an independent Palestine existing in peace and security alongside Israel. But is this the policy of the government of Palestine? What about Hamas?
Some members of President Abbas governing buddies within the PLO are openly stating yes but privately they do not believe in a two-state solution and still seek the destruction of Israel by pointing out that the two-state solution is not official government policy. They wrangled about it privately in a parliamentary committee meeting just about every month after they have been under pressure by some leaders of Islamic Golf States to accept that the return to the 1967 borders is not negotiable but a compromise would work instead.
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, left, Finance Minister Yair Lapid, center, and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni at a cabinet meeting, May 13, 2013.
Even the Arab League noted “ That there are still substantial divides Between the PLO government and the leaders of Hamas” on many questions especially the issue of lands swap and East Jerusalem .
This confusion should be clarified immediately if they wish the world would consider their position to be genuine as a partners for peace with Israel.
For there to be any hope of progress, the Palestinian government must state unequivocally that support for a two-state solution is a core principle of its foreign policy – and for Hamas to renounce terror and violence.
A simple declarative statement by Mahmoud Abbas and the newly elected leader of Hamas Khaled Mashaal would dispel these doubts immediately. They need to speak out now if they are genuine about the peace process.
Renaud Sarda
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