A few months ago, when the leader of Hamas Khaled Meshal claimed to accept a two-state solution, without of course a real peace treaty but rather another "hudna" for 10 years, not repudiating the charter which preaches hate, and of course still calls for the right of return, which of course, you know how I stand.
Now Meshal is trying to fool the world again. Meshal said
Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Meshal says the Islamic militant group is ready to accept a Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines, according to an interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Friday.
"We along with other Palestinian factions in consensus agreed upon accepting a Palestinian state on the 1967 lines," Meshal told the Wall Street Journal, adding "this is the national program. This is our program. This is a position we stand by and respect."
Of course he did not talk of recognizing Israel, renouncing terrorism, and amending the charter. But to further ruin his peace credentials,
In regard to Israel's leadership, Meshal said "I don't care about Israel? It is our enemy and our occupier and it commits crimes against our people", adding "don't ask me about Israel, Israel can talk for itself."
Hmmm, that sound doesn't like peace talk to me. nevermind the fact Israel is out of Gaza, or Hamastan as it is also known, so much for being Hamas' occupier, even if he did want a state, he'd have to negotiate with Israel. How do you in one breath claim to support a two state solution, but still hint they'd be your enemy even with that, not renounce violence, or accept the Jewish State, who would be the one to make a Palestine possible?
Hamas may think it is fooling people. It is not. The Israelis are not.
Mark Regev, spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday wrote off Meshal's statements, saying "anyone who has been following Khaled Meshaal's comments over the last few months sees clearly that despite some attempts to play with language in a cosmetic way to give the impression of possible policy moderation, he remains rooted in an extremist theology which fundamentally opposes peace and reconciliation.
Not even Fatah isn't fooled, after a Fatah wedding was bombed and will not let Fatah members go to their convention in the West Bank.
Hamas isn't fooling anyone. I have words to say to Hamas: unless you renounce terrorism, change your hatefilled charter, recognize Israel, and stop inciting and teaching violence, you're never getting in the negotiations.
The kicker of course being there is zero chance Hamas does this stuff, which means they will not be there. And that is good. Why would Israel or anyone else want a terrorist groups dedicated to the destruction of the UN member, that aligns itself with Khamenei/Ahmadinejad, hates the West and the USA too, not to mention it oppresses its own people.
The good news is Hamas' popularity has fallen, due to what they've wrought in Gaza by launching war, their oppression, the blockade which is reminding everyone what Hamas is all about, and the economic peace being brought to the West Bank.
Hamas, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Too bad you never fooled me.