Time To End Boycott of Hamas

The inclination in Israel will be to ignore Khaled Meshal's pledge to end the rocket fire and to abandon its territorial ambitions within the pre-'67 lines.  But the Hamas' chief's interview with the New York Times is a very big deal.  And if Israel -- and the United States -- are smart, they will seize the opportunity.

Frankly, I can't see Prime Minister Netanyahu doing that.  He was the prime minister who personally ordered Meshal's assassination by poison in Jordan during his last term in office. That act, which almost killed both Meshal and the peace process, demonstrated rather starkly how Netanyahu felt about Meshal.

But, hey, if the intended victim of that assassination attempt is willing to let bygones be bygones, maybe Bibi will too.

The main thing is to pay attention.  Both Israel and the Bush administration ignored the Saudi initiative praying it would go away -- and it pretty much did.  Here is an opportunity to bring Hamas into the peace process while simultaneously preserving a key role for the Fatah moderates.

If stopping the rockets from Gaza was so significant a priority that it was worth going to war over (and taking the lives of 1,4000 Palestinians, mostly innocent), it should be important enough to take a chance and explore what Meshal may be offering.

Or is taking risks for peace been ruled out in favor of more war. Anyway, there is no risk involved.  Exploring a peace feeler is risk-free.

Here is the best piece I've seen on why it is time to deal with Hamas.  It's by Peter Beinart of TIME, former editor of the New Republic, and no big dove.  Beinart is smart, tough and creative and he recognizes opportunity when he sees it.  Check it out.