Hamas and Peace

Russia's foreign minister reports that Hamas will honor the Arab Peace Initiative (Saudi Peace Plan) which calls for Israel to return to the internationally recognized 1967 borders, as called for in UN resolutions, in return for peace and diplomatic recognition by all the Arab states, including Palestine (See "The Boston Globe 3/4/06). Considering that we were attacked on 9/11 (See "The 9/11 Commission Report" p. 147) because of our support for Israel's occupation of Palestine, it behooves us to persuade Israel to honor the Arab Peace Initiative. This is a far better policy than joining Israel in trying to starve the imprisoned Palestinians to death by withholding aid. In the minds of Muslims, we stand for occupation of Muslim lands and oppression of Muslims, not for freedom and democracy as we pretend. This is why President Bush is greeted with massive protests in Pakistan and elsewhere. America and Israel have long believed that peace can be obtained by bribing nations, such as Egypt and Jordan, with economic aid in return for recognizing Israel and accepting the occupation. When governments are corrupt, the people often turn to religion. Thus, these countries dare not risk democratic elections, because the Islamists would win. It is not Hamas which is an obstacle to peace, it is the US-subsidized Israeli occupation of Palestine.