Reply #4: I agree. [View All]

At the moment, Hamas seem to blow hot and cold on this issue. Sometimes a Hamas leader says something that seems to pay at least lip-service to the idea that Israel exists and will continue to do so; and then someone else says - and acts- the total opposite.

I suspect that a Hamas leader who did take this bold and very desirable step would be in serious danger of assassination by harder-line Hamas members, or by Islamic Jihad. Possibly one reason why it hasn't happened yet.

I support talking to anyone who will talk (talking is very different from committing oneself to agreeing with all the other side's demands). The Good Friday Agreement was only reached by talks that included some pretty nasty people - nasty means terrorists and their supporters in this case too - on both sides. But, for talks to have serious results, all sides have to be prepared to consider compromises.