Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., May 20, 2008 Iyyar 15, 5768 | | Israel Time: 10:25 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Rosner's Domain
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Advertising
Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Egyptian mediator Omar Suleiman (AP)
Last update - 09:48 18/05/2008
Is Israel breaking its own taboo on talks with Hamas?
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Hamas, Israel, Palestinians

Participants at a recent inner cabinet meeting were listening to details of the Egyptian mediation initiative between Israel and Hamas on a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip recently, when a senior minister reportedly reminded those present that Israel does not negotiate, directly or indirectly, with Hamas. Shin Bet security service head Yuval Diskin interrupted, saying there was no other way to describe the talks.

A letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, the details of which were revealed Friday, called for the indirect and secret talks with Hamas to be recognized. As for Israel's greatest concerns - that Hamas will use a lull in hostilities to rearm and that Egypt's promises to fight weapons smuggling bear no weight - the writers of the letter offered no solution.

Among the signatories' names, that of MK Yossi Beilin (Meretz) is to be expected. More surprising are the names of the former Shin Bet chief Ephraim Halevi, who has actually been calling for talks with Hamas in recent months, along with former chief of staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak and Brigadier General (res.) Shmuel Zakai, a former Gaza Division commander. This is an attempt to provide a military stamp of approval to a step Israel has officially sworn it would not take. What was taboo two years ago is no longer.
Advertisement
It is Hamas that has not changed its position over the past two years, that has not accepted the Quartet's conditions, and has remained adamant not to recognize Israel and previous agreements, and not to renounce terror. The economic blockade has certainly strengthened Hamas' desire for a cease-fire. But make no mistake, a senior military figure said: "Hamas is not coming to negotiations because it is in decline. Its regime will not fall if the blockade continues."

Negotiations are expected to rev up this week following talks between Egypt and Hamas, and a meeting Tuesday between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Barak in Sharm al-Sheikh. But without an agreement that includes significant progress toward the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, Israel is close to deciding on a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip. The rising number of casualties in the western Negev cannot be ignored. Additional losses could spur the government to an operation, despite doubts voiced by generals and ministers as to its effectiveness.

Related articles:
  • Report: Egypt warns Hamas of major IDF Gaza raid if Shalit not freed
  • Senior defense source: 'Israel on collision course with Hamas'
  • Haaretz Editorial / Educating Hamas
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Fear of extinction
    The state of over 20 species of birds in Israel has worsened considerably.
    Taking advantage
    Jerusalem police probe possible gang rape of disabled woman.
      1.   Stop! We just made this a campaign issue... 03:12  |  Aphemia 18/05/08
      2.   No Monopoly on Right & Wrong 03:33  |  gearoid 18/05/08
      3.   The `Rape Israel` Mob Has Overtook the Wheels 04:09  |  Joseph . E 18/05/08
      4.   Does Israel really have a choice? 04:23  |  Krishna 18/05/08
      5.   This is STUPID; we need to talk with our enemies 04:35  |  MANKIND 18/05/08
      6.   HAMAS MUST KEEP ITS CHARTER ALIVE 06:19  |  indrajaya 18/05/08
      7.   Krishna 06:39  |  Yanosh 18/05/08
      8.   It is impossible to "win" a war with Hamas 07:33  |  Natallie Durson 18/05/08
      9.   Israel should uproot Hamas once and for all. 08:08  |  Jean Van Daem 18/05/08
      10.   #3 Joseph, you can pick your friends, but you can`t... 08:09  |  Johnboy 18/05/08
      11.   Are ostiches endemic...? 08:25  |  Esther 18/05/08
      12.   Are ostiches endemic...? 08:25  |  Esther 18/05/08
      13.   Peace means hearts and minds, not occupation 08:35  |  Palestinian Brit 18/05/08
      14.   Hamas is a murderous and barbaric terror group 09:26  |  spade 18/05/08
      15.   error 09:31  |  sj. 18/05/08
      16.   it is the right thing 10:10  |  musa khalil 18/05/08
      17.   #10, Esther 10:14  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 18/05/08
      18.   very bad timing 10:21  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 18/05/08
      19.   Ta boo or not to boo - no even a question 10:30  |  Star of David 18/05/08
      20.   When Palestinian #hit talks occupation 10:33  |  Star of David 18/05/08
      21.   Durson doesn`tunderstand Hamas 10:35  |  Joe Sittizen 18/05/08
      22.   CJK#17 10:42  |  Guido 18/05/08
      23.   Grassroots organisations also need to 10:52  |  Star of David 18/05/08
      24.   #22, Guido 11:08  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 18/05/08
      25.   Re Cipora #17 11:27  |  Esther 18/05/08
      26.   Peace means hearts and minds, not resistance 11:42  |  Joe Sittizen 18/05/08
      27.   # 3 Joseph E. about "raping" Israel and "dhimmi" attitude..... 12:35  |  Swiss (Dino) 18/05/08
      28.   #24 Cipora outdoes herself..... 12:37  |  Johnboy 18/05/08
      29.   #21.... 13:24  |  Hans 18/05/08
      30.   who is the terrorist 13:29  |  jamaal sahoory 18/05/08
      31.   # 14 spade 13:56  |  Axel 18/05/08
      32.   # 17 CJK 14:03  |  Axel 18/05/08
      33.   #8 with nutullies illogic which ones are the civillians 14:14  |  v hardman 18/05/08
      34.   Cipora Julianna Kohn #24 14:22  |  John Syracuse 18/05/08
      35.   "Is Israel breakin its own taboo on talks with Hamas?" 14:35  |  Akram Zekaria 18/05/08
      36.   # 17 CJK, though ... 14:39  |  Axel 18/05/08
      37.   See Me,Hear Me,Touch me 14:39  |  Ronnie Wolman 18/05/08
      38.   But make no mistake 14:59  |  Clickfool 18/05/08
      39.   to Jamaal Sohoory 15:08  |  Hilda 18/05/08
      40.   For Star of David on the Jews` gift of monotheism # 23 15:12  |  Clickfool 18/05/08
      41.   Do Israel needs meditors & How many ? 15:32  |  Akam Zekaria 18/05/08
      42.   Guido # 22 Direct Talks (part 1) 15:38  |  Jeff Northridge 18/05/08
      43.   HAMAS WON`T FALL BECAUSE OF BLOCKADE, ISRAEL WILL 15:40  |  indrajaya 18/05/08
      44.   to all 15:50  |  vladimir 18/05/08
      45.   The three stooges 15:54  |  Michael N 18/05/08
      46.   Lets hear from the residence 15:56  |  on the sidelines 18/05/08
      47.   It is not the issue - there is exchange of information. 16:01  |  17 18/05/08
      48.   Olmert will always cave in to terrorists 16:14  |  Herry Mann 18/05/08
      49.   DENIAL OF JEWISH RIGHT TO ISRAEL IS BLASPHEMY ACCORDING TO QUR`AN 16:24  |  True Muslim 18/05/08
      50.   Guido # 22 Direct Talks (part 2) 16:28  |  Jeff Northridge 18/05/08
      51.   Hamas: we`ll kill you all 16:42  |  Iz Ray Leigh 18/05/08
      52.   jamaal sahory 16:55  |  Iz Ray Leigh 18/05/08
      53.   Israel will talk to them, but 17:11  |  Dror 18/05/08
      54.   Jeff Northridge-flowers and chocolates 17:18  |  John Syracuse 18/05/08
      55.   Jeff Northridge-flowers and chocolates 17:18  |  John Syracuse 18/05/08
      56.   to # 38 17:47  |  Hans 18/05/08
      57.   # 42 jeff 18:27  |  Axel 18/05/08
      58.   Ronnie Wolman: "The Blind Leading the Blind" 18:33  |  CHGODMK 18/05/08
      59.   # 23 star of david 18:40  |  Axel 18/05/08
      60.   indrajaya # 43 Neither Will Fall Due To The Blockade 18:45  |  Jeff Northridge 18/05/08
      61.   Jeff Northridge-flowers and chocolates 19:11  |  John Syracuse 18/05/08
      62.   The Hamas charter and its German Nazi roots 19:19  |  Jonathan S 18/05/08
      63.   Talking but not talking to hamas? 19:33  |  joseph theeboom 18/05/08
      64.   # 49, JEFF NORTHRIDGE 20:15  |  indrajaya 18/05/08
      65.   On monotheism`s origins (Clickie) 20:49  |  Morris Valentine 18/05/08
      66.   John Syracuse # 50 Thanks, I Missed Cipora`s Post Yesterday 20:56  |  Jeff Northridge 18/05/08
      67.   Talking through the curtain. 21:08  |  Stephen. 18/05/08
      68.   #23 Star of David: monotheism 21:34  |  Boycott 18/05/08
      69.   indrajaya # 52 The Blockade Is "Pressure", Not "Regime Change" 21:52  |  Jeff Northridge 18/05/08
      70.   True Muslim#46 21:57  |  Stranger 18/05/08
      71.   #53, John of Syracuse 22:16  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 18/05/08