Posted on 02/08/2006 10:02:07 AM PST by Capn TrVth
The political leader of Palestinian militant group Hamas has said the group is willing to take a serious step towards peace if Israel does the same.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
But he said a long-term truce would be possible if Israel accepted conditions including a return to its 1967 borders.
Israel's acting PM said if he won next month's poll, Israel would retain West Bank settlement blocs and Jerusalem.
However, Ehud Olmert said Israel would be prepared to give up parts of the West Bank where most Palestinians were living.
His interview on Israel television was his first since taking power a month ago following Ariel Sharon's massive stroke.
'Recognise rights'
Mr Meshaal said he wanted to send a message to the next Israeli government that Hamas would be ready to talk if Israel met certain strict conditions.
Hamas supporters at a rally in Gaza City
Profile: Khaled Meshaal Meshaal interview transcript
The most important of these was that Israel must withdraw to the boundaries it had until the 1967 Middle East war, Mr Meshaal told the BBC's Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen.
Hamas would then "possibly give a long-term truce with Israel", he said.
"This is a position that Hamas could take, but not now, only after Israel recognises the rights of the Palestinians, to show and confirm its willingness to withdraw to the 1967 borders," he said.
Mr Meshaal said such a move by Israel could create conditions for the international community to find a solution for all of the region's problems.
Our correspondent says that by putting the onus on the international community, the Hamas leader seems to be displaying a willingness to accept international mediation.
But Mr Meshaal, who lives in exile in the Syrian capital, Damascus, also warned that the militant group was capable of leading the Palestinians in a long fight that they would be better able to bear than Israel.
He and other Hamas leaders are in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, to discuss the next step after their 25 January election win over rivals Fatah.
Jerusalem issue
Hamas has largely observed a truce in its fight with Israel for the past year.
Now it's time for Israel to do what they said they would never do and enter dialogue with Hamas Darryl LeCount, Paderborn, Germany
However, Israel believes offers like the latest by Mr Meshaal are a ruse to allow Hamas to gather its strength, since its charter calls for the destruction of the Jewish state, our correspondent says.
Speaking on Channel 2 TV, Mr Olmert said Israel would retain "united Jerusalem", which would include occupied East Jerusalem, if his Kadima party won Israel's general election on 28 March.
But he said Israel would disengage from parts of the West Bank where the population is mostly Palestinian, at the same time as retaining its three main settlement blocs.
Israel has occupied East Jerusalem since 1967. It annexed the area in 1981 and sees it as its exclusive domain.
Under international law the area is considered to be occupied territory.
East Jerusalem is often called Arab East Jerusalem because the majority of its residents are Palestinian, and Palestinians hope to establish their future capital there.
It's a trick.
Yep. "Come into my parlor" said the spider to the fly.
They must want money.
Stalling tactics.
Yossi Beilin will be dropping his drawers for servicing by Hamas very soon.
"B-b-b-b-but please-PLEASE, DOn't fling me into dat dere Brair Patch, Br'er Fox!"
In a war, the losers do not get to dictate terms of surrender to the winner.
Of course it's a trick. It's no different than what Arafat did successfully for years. I guess the question is are we still that dumb.
At least they won't say: "You can trust us! We're not like the others!"
Not 5 minutes before I posted this I saw an A.P. headline:
"HAMAS NOT READY TO TALK TO ISRAEL"
Someone posted it here on FR I think...
Sheeeeeez... What a bunch of idiots!
The face with the biggest smile hides the hand with the sharpest dagger.
OK Israel removed all settlements from Gaza. What good faith step is Hamas going to make?
A truce with Hamas/Islam is fools gold.
Next step, and PLO "Slogan"
"To The SEA!"
That's the next stop for Israel...
Are you implying that Palestinians are liars? [/sarcasm]
Yeah. Wanna make sumpin' out of it? :-)
"But Mr Meshaal, who lives in exile in the Syrian capital, Damascus, also warned that the militant group was capable of leading the Palestinians in a long fight that they would be better able to bear than Israel."
Assuming total war doesn't break out. I suspect Israel will escalate the response the next time the Palis go intifada-y.
You think? Or maybe to send in a ringer with a bomb to the meeting.
I wouldn't spit on them if they were on fire.
You're right. But if you happened to catch Israel last Summer and last week, it is Israel that surrendered.
Hamas has every reason to believe they are the winners now and in the future.
Why shouldn't they dictate term. Someone has to.
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