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Peace in Gaza: Principles, Not Preconditions

Helena Cobban, The Christian Science Monitor | June 26, 2009

Any chance at Middle East peace requires recognizing that Hamas, labeled a terrorist group, remains a popular force. ++ Historical conflict regions such as South Africa and Northern Ireland teach us that even "terrorist groups" can and must be valuable parties in peacemaking. ++ During my interviews with Hamas, they stated their desire to heal rifts with Fata and establish a state alongside Israel - under their conditions. ++ This pragmatic shift represents a key opportunity; preconditions should be substituted with negotiated principles for all actors.

Tue, Jun 30th 2009, 14:20

Lior Petek, University of St. Gallen, Platinum Contributor (216)

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I like this comment! What's this?

Cobban's many flaws in her argumentation can be summed up the following way:

If Hamas really has performed such a sincere pragmatic shift as Cobban claims, then why does she call for the abolishment of the three preconditions of the Quartet. After all, those three are the benchmark against which any pragmatic shift by Hamas is measured. You cannot have the cake and eat it, too.

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