That extremists would seek to scuttle any chances for peace should come as no surprise to even casual I/P observers. Whether settlement provocations by Israeli rightists, or bombings by Hamas or some other terrorist entity, there are simply too many players with an interest in derailing peace.
This unfortunate phenomenon played itself out again today in the West Bank, as terrorists killed a group of four people near Hebron. Hamas is believed to be the culprit. The incident comes as Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian PM Mahmoud Abbas head to Washington for direct peace talks.
Four Israelis were murdered Tuesday evening after the vehicle they were traveling in was ambushed by terrorists in the Hebron region.
At least some of the victims, who are all residents of Beit Hagai, are members of the same family. Ambulance service officials said the victims include two men aged about 25 and 40, as well as two women of roughly the same ages, one of them pregnant.
[...]
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told Ynet the attack was not meant to foil direct peace talks, and said the negotiations had failed even before starting.
"This is a natural response by the Palestinian resistance to the enemy's crimes, and is proof that despite the resistance's persecution by the security services and despite Israel's crimes, the Palestinians are capable of responding to these crimes."
(Yediot)
Just this morning, the liberal Zionist group J Street put out a call for both Israelis and Palestinians to avoid actions that could harm the peace process. In a released statement, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami said:
We have urged all sides to refrain from unilateral actions that can undermine trust and derail the talks at this critical moment. In particular – as we urged all sides to press the Palestinians to join these talks in the first place – we now urge Israel to refrain from resuming construction beyond the Green Line. Once there is a border, there will be no need for further discussion of limits on construction.
Similarly, as we have urged the Palestinian leadership to renounce incitement, so too should Israeli leaders — including recent outrageous and incendiary comments by Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef that only serve to promote intolerance and undercut the prospects for peace.
In the wake of this attack, Ben-Ami later urged the participants not to let today's events derail the task at hand.
We are reminded of Prime Minister Rabin’s important words: "And so we are determined to do the job well - despite the toll of murderous terrorism, despite fanatic and scheming enemies. We will pursue the course of peace with determination and fortitude. We will not let up. We will not give in. Peace will triumph over all our enemies, because the alternative is grim for us all. And we will prevail."
Indeed, Ben-Ami's call was poignant, because the right wasted little time in voicing their belief that the process should now end.
"Now it is clear that the most violent periods take place when there is a political process," said MK Uri Ariel (National Union). "Netanyahu must freeze talks and focus on ensuring peace for Israel's citizens."
MK Aryeh Eldad (National Union) said that the attack raises concern about whether Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian security services can control militants in the West Bank.
"This organization is not equipped to effectively battle Hamas and we will not be surprised if their weapons are turned against us," said Eldad.
(Ha'aretz)
So, you have Hamas and other terrorists groups in lockstep with the Israeli far right toward a goal of ending peace talks. It makes sense when you think about it. The better question is whether the prime players will allow them to succeed.
UPDATE: Mets102 has provided a link to Hamas confirming their responsibility for this attack. Here's hoping they fail at stopping Israel and the PA