* MUHAMAD IS JUST A NAME....(MAYBE),
BUT NOT ONLY NAME
FOR PEOPLE HOW KNOW ABOUT A NAME,
THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL INSIDE THE NAME'S
ESPECIALLY FOR A MOSLEM SOCIETY.
SO, WHY WE MUST HAVE HOT DISCUSS ABOUT THE NAME ?
FORTUNATELLY I HAVE IT AND, WHAT DIFFERENT ME WITH ANOTHER PEOPLE. iF SOMEBODY HAD DISCRIMINATION BECAUSE A NAME WHERE IS HUMANITY, WHERE IS HUMAN RIGHT IN THE WORLD, SO SHAME.

Thank you, Mrs Adonis for putting it suscinclty. One cannot demand of the Palestinians total subservience and detachment from their destiny as Israel continues to usurp the land, water, airspace and livelihood of Palestinians.

JORDON is already 54% Palistinian!

In 50 Years, it will be 70%!

So West Bank & Greater Jordan will be 'Annexed' and fuse into one.

iMagine if the Island of QATAR was 51% Palistinian?

So, they are MUSLOMS/MOSLEMS/MUSOLMAN then that's O.K.! But If a "KAFiR", Oye Vay, then Allah or G-D Forbid!????

iMagine a 51% Palistinian majority w/Israeli's????

Remember, Ye can take folks out of the Desert, but ye cannot take the Desert, jungle, Cave etc.., Biomentality out of Them "ANiMALS!"!

JERUSALEM is 'Not' The Capital of the Islamic World! It is Mecca!

Leave to MUHAMAD what is MUHAMAD's [Post Idolatary MECCA] & Leave to King David what is to King David [Pre-Islamic JERUSALEM] & Leave Jesus what is to Jesus [Post Pagan Jerusalem!].

Ya Ya!

Simple, get all the Arab/Muslims and other hate mongers to try building something positive instead of spewing hate. As more articles are finally showing, using Nazi like brain-washing, fakes like the Protocols, television shows glorifying maryters, etc, etc, etc, and they'll raise another generation to hate.

Israel leaves Gaza, two choices. Start building a state, create the infra-structure of a state, use the resources left behind to create more jobs, for more farming, etc. Or use the resources to build rockets to send into Israel, wreck the resources left behind, and then seek pity against the absent "occupiers".
We know which course was taken, and as long as that mind-set exists, there can be no peace and no change.

this lady knows her stuff. it is time someone like her tell the situation as it is.

i think the one point which is critical is that hamas has been asked to recognize isreal, and end its call for the destruction of the jewish state.

BUT THEY HAVE YET TO DO THIS.

which makes it clear that there is intent to commit violence. yet you demand isreal to abide by rules of engagement that hamas and other terrorist factions are not required to do.

this includes attacks, no matter how crude they are, that target civilians, and innocent bystanders. what you are really upset about is that isreal is effective, and expedient about responding to these threats.

besides, as iraq proves, your islamic sect is more important than any countries borders, the islamic world has used "palestinian independence" as a shell game to obscure their anti-semitism.

MISS N Mass : Take a laxative. Clear your head and mind.(such as it is).

She's absolutely right.

Israel is as much of a terrorist state as Palestine; even moreso. They have all the power --and American's tax dollars-- and abuse it mightily.

Consider: Israel kills around 40 Palestinians for every 1 Israeli death.
And still we're bombarded with their "Oooooh, I'm a VICTIM! Holocaust, holocaust!"
--WHILE ISRAEL'S RESIDENT ACTUAL SURVIVORS OF THE HOLOCAUST LIVE IN POVERTY, STARVATION AND PRIVATION EVEN THOUGH GERMANY HAS PAID OVER 1.5 BILLION.
Holocaust survivors in ANY other country get exponentially better treatment and support than the "care" Israel gives its people.

'if Palestine stops attacking then Israel will stop' is evading the real issue -- if Israel would pull out of Palestinian lands, pull down that WALL, abide by U.N. decisions AND STOP THE AGGRESSION THEN THERE WOULD BE NO ATTACKS FROM PALESTINIANS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

What a disgusting country, who, BTW are NOT a Democracy! BOYCOTT ISRAEL until they learn to be civilized and pay their OWN owed reparations to the Palestinians!

Oh, and SPEEDYCAMPBELL: (Israel is) "a peace loving people who are honest and forthright in their dealings."

Ho ho, ha ha ha! Good one! April Fool's Day indeed!!

This Lamis Andoni is so radical in her demands that it is hard to envision any discussion possible.
Imagine that you are on Flight 94, and the 9/11 terrorist hijackers have a knife to your throat.
That is what Hamas is doing to Israel. Hamas' stated agenda is to destroy Israel, and murder all of the Jewish people, men, women and children.
Hamas demonstrates it's intent daily, with rocket attacks on civilian populations. If Hamas had better and more leathal weapons, the weapons would be used.
The demands of Lamis Andoni in this article are like the child that murders her parents, then demands leniency from the court as an orphan.
Hamas is an evil terror force, pure and simple. There is no argument about this in civilized countries.
Hamas is free to declare itself a country at anytime, and if it would do so, that many countries would recoginze it. Hamas does not do this. Why? Because Hamas is not intent on BUILDING a country, it is intent on DESTROYING a country, that is, Israel. I have no clue why the Palestinians have not yet declared themselves as a country and got on with life.
As for "occupation" of "Arab land", you need to have agreed borders before you can define any land as "Palestinian" or "Israeli". There have never been any agreed borders since the Arab Legions invaded the young state of Israel in 1948. Israel reclaimed some area in 1967. At no time were borders agreed upon; we only have an armistice line. So any talk of "Arab land" or "Palestinian Land" has no basis in international law. Palestine has never been a declared country, and its borders have never been negotiated or agreed.
With her article, Lamis Andoni is actually waging a verbal attack on the State of Israel. She is continuing and expanding their terrorist war on the ground to here in the media.
On one point, Lamis Andoni is correct. The Israelis are using a "divide and rule" tactic. However, the Israelis have no desire to "rule" over any people, including the Palestinians. The Israelis simply want to survive.

That Hamas was duly elected is of little or no consequence. Adolph Hitler was elected to office as well.

Had the Allies dealt with Hitler and the Nazis early in, 50 million lives would have been spared.

There is one difference between Hamas and the Nazi Party. The Nazis went to great lengths to conceal and deny their agenda. Hamas cannot be so bothered. The Palestinians elected Hamas knowing full well exactly what they stood for. They made no secret of their ideology or intentions for decades.

There is something very wrong with a population who is enamored with the well publicized idea of 'Finishing what Hitler started.'

Have you ever noticed that the same people who espouse Holocaust denial are the same ones who think a Holocaust of Jews a good idea?

Democratization was what we pushed. We got what we asked for. Now to not deal with the elected representatives of the people of Gaza would be hypocritical and "moving the goal posts."

Our foreign credibility is shaky enough. Deal with Hamas and for Christsakes, take them off the terrorist list. They are elected officials now.

They are no more terrorist than we are (not that that is saying much).

Appeasing totalitarian regimes is always mistake. Chamberlain tried it with Hitler, the democratically selected Chancellor of Germany. Churchill's famous quote is as true today as it was when he made it, "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." Hamas has no interest in peace and will stick to its agreements only as long as it is able to benefit by rearming its forces. Until it acknowledges that it is willing to live with the State of Israel, it is nothing but a terrorist State. The fact that Hamas was democratically elected makes no difference, a people who elects a terrorist organization are by supporters of terrorism themselves and should have to live with the consequences. The PA itself recognizes the threat of Hamas to the Palestinian citizens themselves.

I think Washington Post should continue this wonderful tradition and start publishing pieces written by members of KKK, White Supremasists, or other "friendly neighborhood" hate groups. I don't think WP would sink any lower.

It makes me sick to read when shooting missiles into schools and kindergartens is called "Islamic Resistance Movement". Maybe Islamic movement, but it is certainly not a resistance.

What is this, some sick April fool's joke? I certainly hope so, because the twisted logic in this "article" could not be taken seriously by any logically-thinking person.

Ms Andoni's comments, while at first appear reasonable, simply do not pass a sniff test.
We know very well that if Hamas stops its rocket war against Israel's civilian centers, Israel WILL stop its military incursions into Gaza. But if Israel halts its military actions, the rain of rockets will NOT cease.
This is why there is no moral equivalence to be drawn between the two sides.

The claim that Israel "violently" engaged in destruction of what is left of Palestinian lands is also quite dubious.

Ms Andoni needs reminding that Israel has handed control of Gaza back to the Palestinians, along with significant agricultural assets (which the Palestinians foolishly destroyed in their exuberant expressions of hatred). Israel's act has resulted in the current state of victimization of Israeli cities - which all of a sudden found themselves on the front lines of a war.

Until the Palestinians can demonstrate the responsibility of a mature people, and demonstrate a true wish for peace, making any concession to them will clearly be a foolish act on the part of Israel's leadership.

Bravo! I agree with every point. I wish western media had any journalists willing to speak about the reality of the situation.

The Jews are a peace loving people who are honest and forthright in their dealings.

For Lamis Andoni to even remotely suggest the Jewish People would ever build settlements on land belonging to the Plaestinean people is heresy.

Doesn't she know the God of the Jews gave the Israelites all the Palestinean land. It no longer belongs to the Palestineans you stupid idiots.

The occupation the author refers to came about as the result of an Arab initiated war that promised Israel's annihilation and various atrocities perpetrated against Israeli civilians.

Since 1967, Israel and the west have set 3 conditions as the foundation for a peace and a Palestinian state.

Cessation of hostilities and terror.
Diplomatic recognition of Israel.
Secure borders.

Which of those things is too onerous a condition for the Palestinians to endure?

Hamas has made clear that their opposition to Israel is religiously mandated and makes that clear in their charter. Hamas media outlets routinely broadcast outrageous racism and bigotry. School curriculum are replete with the same and religious pulpits are often used to expound on that racism, bigotry and hate.

The author wants readers to assume a moral equivalence between Israel leaders and the Palestinian leadership where none exists.

Israel has a track record of exchanging land for peace. She is not mandated to exchange land before peace.

Hamas has made clear that recognition of Israel is not an option. Further, Hamas leaders have on more than one occasion echoed the sentiments of Hizbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who told a reporter for the Lebanon Daily Star that he was 'happy Jews came to Israel. It will save us the trouble of rounding them up.'

It is understandable that Israelis are tired of hearing the Hamas kindergarten ditty of HAMAS! HAMAS! JEWS TO THE GAS! and the more ubiquitous SLAUGHTER THE JEWS!

There is no moral equivalence between the Israelis and the leadership of Hamas and their supporters.

None.

The posters should know that saintly Israeli always breaks ceasefires, and peace agreements. Israel continues to build settlements in the occupied West Bank after telling Secretary Rice they would not. After Sec. Rice's last visit, the jet engines had not even cooled before Israel announced a new illegal settlement. The posters will happy to learn there is a road in the West Bank that is Jewish only route 443. There is a network of these roads so that the settlers will not be terrorized by bad Arab drivers. When Bush visited President Abbas, the roadblocks that prevent Palestinians movement in the West Bank had to be removed. The roaches, a term used by an Israeli PM should be allowed to move freely in the Occupied West Bank.

OK now please remind me - are we talking about the Hamas organization which refuses Israel's right to exist, claims all Israel as part of the Palestinians' state, has TV series for children promoting hatred against Jews?
Is that the Hamas organization which has, time after time again, sent terorrists to kill Israeli civilians of all ages, including, recently, eight teenagers in a Yeshiva?
Is that the Hamas organization which has never budged on the point that they will only offer a long term cease fire to Israel, but never peace, so that, one day, they can exterminate the state of Israel (they hope)?
Is that the Hamas organization which denies president Abbas the right to negotiate with Israel and prefers to use arms and "resistance"? Is that the organization which stages another bloody terrorist bombing every time peace moves forward just a little bit, so as to take things back to where they were?

Hmm, I wonder who the writer is - an "advisor" to Al-Jezeera? Isn't that the news organization which has been rejected by the Israeli as the *only* news organization which is so obviously biased that the government will not give it interviews any more? That's pretty amazing given the total negative bias in existence with most news organizations against Israel - it must be a world record!

Pretty depressing to think that such unbelievable pieces are being hosted by the Washington Post, which I read every day:( This woman would have us agree that the victims of one of the worst terorists organizations in the world should be the ones apologizing and making up with a group of murderers who openly and unanimously express the view that their victims have no right to exist and that they will not cease until they have exterminated or ethnically cleansed the whole land.

Time to throw this blog into the trash I guess - Oh, wait, that's the internet - hmmm... How do I do that?

Wow! Here it is folks! A glowing example of Muslim mental problems. It's always everyone else's fault. Everyone's always against us. Gee, I wonder why? It's OK for them to kill, behead, blow up, stab, and cause untold suffering and grief in this world. And this is not just against the infidels but against other Muslims as well. Tell me why they were celebrating in the streets of Brooklyn, NY on 9/11 just as they do in the West Bank and Gaza? They follow a doctrine that puts them at odds with the rest of the world and then they cry injustice when the rest of the world doesn't see eye to eye about becoming their dhimmis and to being mutilated live on video. They are mentally ill! The sooner they realize this the sooner they'll feel better and not want to kill everyone around them who disagrees with the the fact that they want to kill everyone around them!

No one is trying to deny all those Russian Ukranian and Eastern European Jews settling in the middle east after their ancestors left more than a thousand years ago. Some Jewish people remained in Palestine and lived peacefully beside Arabs until 1948. The terrorism of Ben Gurion in ethnically cleansing the area set aside by the UN for an Israeli state began the violence that continues to this day.

Since 1948, the Palestinian Jews have continually taken land from Arabs without compensation and in violation of international law. There was never a UN plan for an exclusively Jewish state. The Zionists have attempted to create one with the help of the United States and acquesance of Europe.

Have any of you compared the UN proposed 1947 borders for a multi-cultural Israel. Yes, 1947 borders. Maybe when the rockets get bigger with better guidance systems to reach Dimona and Tel Aviv, and a Arab leader unites all Arabs and uses oil as a weapon, while America is isolationist because of another failed war.

The millions of Arabs can fight forever and keep losing, but Israel can only lose once. It took the occupied Irish 500 years with a vastly smaller population than England, but they have a Republic. You can spin history all you want but the killing will stop when both sides are tired of it. Fatah used to be caled terroristsuntil they became corrupt, so they can be talked to now. You might destroy Hamas as an organization but its members and their children will just form another militant group until the issue of occupation and poverty are settled.

The author writes "Israel should be subject to the same conditions that the world demands from Hamas and Palestinians as preconditions to engaging in the so-called peace process."

Israel is a recognized nation that is a member of the United nations. Hamas is a noted terrorist organization which, according to its charter, calls for genocide against all Jews. Note, according to the charter is doesn't say Israel or the Zionists.

Israel has long since recognized the palestinian right to self-determination. However, Hamas, according to many of its leaders will not allow Israel to exist on "one inch of land."

The author is being extremely disengenuous and leaving out the greater facts, while only dealing with the facts that suit this very shoddy argument.

Another pretty face spouting hatred. How about if we start with Hamas recognizing that Israel has a right to exist and that killing Jews is not a legitimate basis for governing anyone anywhere.

Once that is established perhaps we can move on.

Adolf Hitler was the legimate and elected representative of the German people. As I,Sundance and Quinn understand the post, Israel is required to enter into serious peace negotiations with a movement that that is sworn to its destruction. I don't believe Israel can talk Hamas out of its charter. Israel is not going to promote a Munich 2 for the purpose of "peace in our time " ala Chamberlain.

Thousands of missles rain down on th Israel and that is why ther s no headway. If you would care to read history, the small democratic country of Israel has been attacked by its nieghbours and has won, gained lands and now the countries want to get the land back. How is it htat in the 1940 the arabs had this as a waste land and could not care about its use. They hatedit. It has been notedby visitors that it was bleake and wasted in that era. Yet when people who work and not only war and hate but rather build they want it back.Isreal has a right to exist in the state that it is in. I believe as soon as the rockets and violence would cease there would be prosperity and peace. Peace in eny other form needs victory. Hey the majourity of the gazens call for my childs blood and this is my assesment, these people with there ideology have difficulty lifing in peace anywhere. Note most difculties in the world involve MUSLIMS.

Hamas clearly wishes to see the entire Jewish State of Israel destroyed. They will not be content with having Gaza and the West Bank. Their charter makes this clear. Hamas has sent hundrends of rockets into Israel this year and has murdered hundreds of Israeli using suicide bombers. Hamas does not recognize Israel's right to exist. Hamas promotes a culture glorifying martyrdom (a euphymism for suicide bombing) .Their propaganda against the Jewish people is rabidly anti-semetic, and extremely similar to Nazi propaganda against the Jews. It is hard for me to comprehend why the Washington Post publishes articles which favor Hamas.

Washington Post! Can't believe my eyes!
Your editor has guts to publish this material in the US media! My hat is off for you Sir/Madam!

Last year my professor gave a lecture at Stanford's Jews for Justice in Palestine gathering.
Consequently, she was accused by several Hoover Inst. fellows of being a fascist & anti-Semitic, only to discover she is of Russian-Jewish origins.

Most of us are guided by an internal & unconscious self-censorship on everything regarding Israel & our foreign policy in the Middle East.

It is an extremity to freely express an opinion about Israeli-Palestinian subject even in world-class academia.

Regardless of my personal opinion on the given matter, Washington Post on your behalf deserves appreciation for bringing in an alternative point of view on the table by placing a True Journalism before accusations you will get of being anti-Semitic and else you will be accused of.

Again, my hat is off, dear Editor!

Washington Post! Can't believe my eyes!
Your editor has guts to publish this material in the US media! My hat is off for you Sir/Madam!

Last year my professor gave a lecture at Stanford's Jews for Justice in Palestine gathering.
Consequently, she was accused by several Hoover Inst. fellows of being a fascist & anti-Semitic, only to discover she is of Russian-Jewish origins.

Most of us are guided by an internal & unconscious self-censorship on everything regarding Israel & our foreign policy in the Middle East.

It is an extremity to freely express an opinion about Israeli-Palestinian subject even in world-class academia.

Regardless of my personal opinion on the given matter, Washington Post on your behalf deserves appreciation for bringing in an alternative point of view on the table by placing a True Journalism before accusations you will get of being anti-Semitic and else you will be accused of.

Again, my hat is off, dear Editor!

has anyon noticed three different articles today supporting hmas and palestinina authority and bashing Israel and the U.S.

the Washintgton Post is probably antisemitic, and I know a bunch of Pro Palestine folks will claim that I am saying that to be a victim, but it astuond me that the only positive things I have read that express the Israeli viewpoint are comments reacting to these idiotic posts

If the Post wants to be taken seriously as an unbiased news source, they should probably find someone other than three arabic sympathizers to writ about the situation

Israel has never been as powerful as it is today.
Israel has never been as rich and ever been as secure as today. Ever. As today Israel is a superpower. As today Israel is expanding and will continue to expand until the entire Westbank (or whatever land that is worth of taking) is taken and included into Israel. As is it is today Israel does not want peace. They can run a low cost war with very low human price for 50 or 100 more years and continue expanding. This has been Israels politics in the last 30 years.And it will be for as long as it takes. US and some Europeans are paying what the war costs in weapons and cash and will continue to do for many years to come. And Israel herself, is producing enough to run a nation that is growing and is prosperous.

And why shouldnt they? They came, they fought and they won. They are powerful enough to win it all.

I think it is time for Arabs to start thinking in a new way. Let Israel be. Other, bigger and richer Arab nation have to provide room for the remaining of the Palestinian people. Stop the war and build a nation somewhere else. Just as Jews did after the WWII. Use your energy in a positive way. This never ending war is becoming meaningless. I am sure without a running war and missiles from land, sea and air the Palestinians are able to build a great country. Its time to get over it. That is what, Persians did when Mongolians came or Arabs and Islam came. When Alexander the great came. That is what entire Europe did when Romans came.
What Chinese did. They were conquered. The fought,
they lost. They went on living and they all are great nations with great history today.
Its time to give up the sand and move. Its not worth it anymore.
It sounds very cynical but: Get over it and get a life. Its over.

The U.S. put tremendous pressure on Israel to support -- or atleast not actively undermine -- the election process under which HAMAS was allowed to run as a party. Why on earth would we say its okay for Hamas to run in elections in the first place? Why would Israel have acceded to this?

Of course, the answer is manifest. Nothing has set back the Palestinian dream of statehood more than electing Hamas to power. That mistake will prove fatal.

Your logic if deeply flawed... No country owes anything to Hamas, not the US, not Europe, not Israel.

The Palestinians have been ignored by their bretheren for years. The first yearnings for liberation for the Palestinians did not occur during the years the land belonged to Egypt and Jordan. The Palestinian quest for land, which had been offered, (both by the United Nations and Israel, but always refused) only began when they lost the land to Israel.

Hamas is quick to complain the "classic colonial divide-and-rule". But what of the numberous attempts by Fatah & Hamas to negotiate peace amongst themselves?

Ask Hamas this, what have they done to work toward peace? Promise to only go after military targets, not preach hate of all non-muslims, not to use civilians as shields, not demand the anniliation of Israel.

May I suggest another way to see this: when a party is elected based on its promise to extinct another country, it can not, not their voters, complain that this country will not give up freely just because this party was democratically elected.

one might argue, that the privilege to vote carry participation in the responsibility for the outcome.

there was a peace process, in which Israel gave away on land and authority in the territories. that process fell down with extreme Palestinian violence when the negotiation fell short of their expectations. Israel was out from most of the territories with no restrictions and boycott when that happened. Israel is not in Gaza for more then two years, yet rockets are shots from Gaza on a daily basis (about 7000 rockets in 2 years based on Hamas claims). the boycott which was implement in the last 6 months, does not seems to effect the numbers of rockets, does it?

it seems that Hammas priority ,surprisingly, is the same as they suggest: as the representative government they will do what ever they can to destroy Israel. not negotiate, not promote their people rights. why the surprise that Israel is not willing to cooperate with these targets?(yes I understand, these are the 'legitimate' targets of democratically elected government...). STOP the violence, recognize your neighbors right to exist, and then you can expect to be treated as a partner to negotiation. currently, you fail to qualify.

so ignorant, so misinformed, thankfully your in no position of power or respect

get nuclear inspectors to israel.

Thank you WP.

It seems to me that if israel and the west used the same techniques as Hamas, the Palestinian population would soon be totally cowering in terror. The random firing of rockets at civilian targets and the killing of innocent students cannot bring any type of peace. In my view the Israeli response has been as reasoned as can possibly be. If any individual in western society were to fire rockets indiscriminately into a city, we would certainly demand that he/she be stopped even if it means killing them if neccessary no matter what the provocation that motivated the attack.The vilification of a group of people in the way that the Palestians do in their religious meetings would never be tolerated in our community. The Muslims have declared war on us more than fifteen years ago and have been continually crying for our deaths in the worst possible torment since then. We have been as civilized as possible in our response. The old Machevelian response would be to invade and kill all who hold us as the enemy. The Israelis may kill some innocents but only because they are fighting an enemy with no respect for their own people who hide behind women and children when confronted and choose the easiest targets to do maximum damage with no concern as to their victims.Anyone who chooses to attack unarmed helpless civilians is a coward of the worst type and deserves no quarter.

This article is marvellous. Saying something in clear language that is truthful and should be published in every newspaper. With a copy to Bush and Rice. Bravo.

A couple points to the Zionists posting above. First, Hamas on numerous occasions on BBC and AlJazeera offered peace with Israel based on the 1967 borders. This is an implicit recognition of Israel and its right to exist. Maybe if Israel would seriously negotiate with even Abbas, there would be peace. But most observers understand that Israel only wants the status quo and the rockets to stop.

This whining of recognize us and renounce violence is inane. Even if someone recognizes you, they may change their mind next year. And if you destroy Hamas, another militant group will form, and then another. Until there is peace. You might try haltimg new settlements, which are in violation of UN resolutions and international law. But I guess you report to a higher authority.

One might question what is this strange psyche that keeps begging the world to "recognize us". Because the world has changed in the last few years, as more and more pictures of Palestinian children dying on the beaches of Gaza are shown. And now people are beginning to be free to talk about both sides of what goes on in Palestine.

I pray for a safe and secure state of Israel, but the Israeli government must accept responsibility for its policies, as well as its citizens. You cannot blame Hamas for everything. A recent poll in Israel showed 66% of Israelis favoring talks with Hamas. And a peace with Abbas will mean nothing if Gaza and Hamas do not agree.

And what will happen as the rockets get bigger with more sophisticated guidance systems. More Israelis die. And one day an American President will pull the plug on the $3 billion in aid to Israel, whether because we are in a recession or someone asks why are we giving money and guns to a country with pharmaceutical and high tech companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange, but is killing children using weapons we gave them..

"Second, the US and other Western governments have no right to boycott or impose a blockade on the Islamic Resistance Movement or any Palestinian group."

Why not? Aren't the Arab governments boycotting Israel? Shouldn't the West have the same rights as Saudi Arabia or Iran?

"And fourth, Israel should be subject to the same conditions that the world demands from Hamas and Palestinians as preconditions to engaging in the so-called peace process."

They already are. The main condition is recognition. Israel and Palestinian Authority both recognize each other's right to exist, which is why they're in negotiations. Its only Hamas who refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist in any way, shape or form.

The writer is a correspondent for Al-Jazeera which is a propaganda instrument of radical Islam. The Post prints this dribble and is, therefore, also an instrument of radical Islam. The Post may as well be a Palestinian newspaper. It is, in any case, a rag.

The Israelis would be fools to talk to Hamas as would any other country. Yes, Hamas may have been legitmately elected, but so was Hitler.

In other words since Hamas was elected to lead the Palenstinians Fatah should step aside and let Hamas form all govermental policies? Will Hamas' policies be aimed at creating an independant state for the Palenstinian people or will they just further their own agenda? Does Hamas really believe they can kill all jews and return the lands to their people? That goal or policy is just unrealastic. It is time for the Palenstinian people to vote with their minds and not their hearts.

Judging by the reaction on this board I am certain that this article is necessary and right. How dare someone present a differing point of view! Oh, how unfortunate to have you horizons broadened! Maybe if a few of you had learned to read opposing viewpoints and even understand them, even though you might not have agreed with it, then the past 8 years of America's outright foreign policy blundering would not have been so surprising. You might have even seen it coming.

Come-on people! Quit displaying your ignorance as Americans. Turn off the Fox news and read something a little more challenging then the McDonalds menu.

Jordan is a worse oppressor of Palestinians than Israel EVER could be! Let Jordan have a free and Democratic election to see who rules. How about Saudi Arabia. EGYPT! Now that would be a sight to see. Egypt using the billions America gives it to hold free and Democratic elections! No it isn't going to happen. The worlds nations DON'T HAVE THE STOMACH to stand up to the Arab tyranny. This is God's battle.

If this misinformed piece is indicative of what passes as critical thought in the Middle East, there is not much hope for regional progress. The Arab world continues to abdicate its responsibility for the Pal. situation (which it has groomed with great care) yet loudly demands that the US and Israel "fix the problem" while simultaneously using Israel as a distraction from their own internal problems.

After 1948, 800,000 Jews fled Arab lands for Europe, N.A. and Israel and were forced to leave their wealth and property behind. Not a penny of UN money was used. The PA refugee camps in Arab countries deny the Pals. basic rights and freedoms and have been condemned by monitoring bodies as far worse than Israel. It would be far more productive for the Arab world to be more informed of their responsibilities and less concerned of their rights- many of which they hypocritically deny to foreigners who live amidst them.

The bottom line is Israel will be here enjoying life, having barbeques and family get togethers with their families and Hamas and Hezbollah and the PLO and ALL ISRAEL HATERS won't even be a memory. God will destroy Israel's enemies. He will fight their coming battle. And a battle is coming. Why do you think the Arabs are amassing ALL THE GREENBACKS? But Arabs, all the greenbacks, gold, silver, diamonds and rubies WILL NOT save you from the wrath of God. Pick on his ONLY CHILD and He is going to take you out for good.

Peace to all who love Israel and King Davids Jerusalem!

Another Hammas Apologist. You talk about the sovereignty of the Palestinian people. Where was your respect of their sovereignty when Hammas unilaterally annexed Gaza? I guess respect for sovereignty only works in favor of radical Islam.

Typical.

Why is America a poodle for Israel? Why do we let the Israel lobby run our Middle East policy? Unconditional support for Israel is not in the American national interest.

The Washington Post has just lost any credibility it had left. Whatever happened to just reporting the news?

Hamas must engage not Israel. As long as Hamas seeks destruction of Israel they should expect nothing from Israel. Hamas can start by stopping the rocket firing.

Though you make a few good points Ms. Andonis.

By my reasoning and belief, I STRONGLY FEEL that Hamas IS a Terrorist Group, I have read 3 different versions of the Palestinian constitution. That very constitution calls for the destruction of Israel. Why don't you write about how the Palestinians need a REAL goverment and not war-mongers.

Hamas is not a terrorist group. If some country attacked your country and occupied it for over 40 years making your lives a living hell, killing your men even women and children. Not giving you the right to live, if that happened to anyone for that long of a time then naturally they would want to fight and kill in return, its only human nature!! Isreal terrorizes the Palestine people and then wonder why groups like Hamas end up forming. And whats even worse, big countries like the US turn a blind eye and keep supporting isreal all while preaching about stopping terror. This world needs help!!

Hello Lamis,

I am sorry but you arguments are weak.

For Israel to have to deal with a group that is dedicated to it's destruction, as a State, is silly, period. Hamas loves to boast of it's "hate" toward Israel, and, really, they are quite unapologetic about it and it has every right to feel it own feelings toward Israel but certainly Israel doesn't have to give them the time of day.

You write, "First, Hamas should be recognized and dealt with as a legitimate and elected representative of the Palestinians people"

Agree, it should be recognized as the legitimate an elected representative of the Palestinian people....I would recognize that choice and if I were Israel I would make it very clear that unless Hamas recognized Israel's right to exist as a State and vowed to lay down their rockets and work towards a peaceful solution to our shared conflict then I would in fact be happy to work with them, but if they did not accept my(Isreal's) conditions then Israel would not deal with them at all, that we would pass until a new legitimate representative was elected at another time.

you write,"Hamas is asked to recognize the right of Israel to exist and abandon its calls for the destruction of the Jewish state, while Israel is practically and violently engaged in destruction of what is left of Palestinian lands through construction of illegal settlements, expropriation of lands and displacement of Palestinians"

Actually, the examples in the above argument are not of equal weight. First, Israel does exist, and will continue to exist as a Jewish State there is no denying this. There has been a challenge to this fact, previous wars, where the destruction was attempted, but, unsuccessful, and, where, Israel gained more land while the Palestinians lost more and now this land is referred to as the "occupied territory."

The settlements could in fact be considered illegal along with the rest of the "occupied territory," and, therefore, returned to the Palestinian people, but, first, the Palestinian people need a Leader or Leaders who are, in fact, willing to live and work and breathe alongside a very REAL, LIVE and LASTING State of Isreal where this State, that has been attacked before, and had it's ACTUAL existence challenged can rest in the knowledge and security that it's Palestinian neighbors will not challege or threaten them continually, will, in fact, choose to live in harmony with a State of Jewish People.

Really, Israel is not so much the problem as the fact that the Palestinians have had such a bad choice of Leadership. Unfortunatley, their Leaders have been more committed to the fight of yester-year rather than the future of their own people.

Your arugement is all about crying and playing the victim and how Israel is the big bad wolf, in this decades old conflict, but really it is more about the total lack LEADERSHIP the Palestinian people have endured for the last many, many years. Really, this conflict would have ended years ago with true, caring, visionary leadership that was interested in building a future for it's own people instead of spending all their time and money on how to destroy the existence of another State and people.

I suppose one fact that Ms. Andoni failed to clarify was the boundaries that she claims are "Palestinian" lands. Israel has the boundaries they possess because of Arab aggression, namely the Coalition of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. When they were soundly defeated the original borders were increased in order to promote the safety of the legitimate state of Israel.

Let us also be very clear on her claim of US backed Israeli aggression. It is in no way similar to the terrorist attacks planned and carried out by the military wing of Hamas or Hezbollah. Those groups seek out to intentionally kill or maim as many Israeli citizens as possible. Israeli attempts to kill or capture the organizers of such attacks try to minimize these civilian casualties.

The loss of credibility of the Palestinian Authority comes from the fact that its leaders like Yassir Arafat has accepted contributions from around the world in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and yet chose to either buy weaponry or keep the money for themselves instead of making tangible change in the lives of the Palestinian people.

The Arabic world has been relegated to a secondary status, and therefore needs someone to blame for their fall from stature. For the many they blame the West, and as such contaminate the faith of Islam in order to offer people a way back to prominence.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a microcosm of that resentment and feeling of inadequacy. Incompetent and/or corrupt leadership is not the cause of their problems - Israel is. Hamas declaring they will not stop until Israel is destroyed is an active attempt to inflame already tenuous relations.

To have peace and a viable Palestinian State, true leadership will be necessary. The type of leadership that understands that the goals of the many outweigh the goals of the few. The pull Hamas has would be dissipated over its constituents should opportunities ope up during a peace.

The Palestinians do not deserve an independent state for the mere reason that such a country in the hands of Hamas would declare war immediately, lose, and then be back in the situation they are in now.

The Palestinian people have shown that they are willing to die, and kill innocents to get a country of their own. What they have not done, is show that they are willing to live to have a country of their own.

It is curious to know what would have happened should Israel have lost one of the multiple wars against the Arab States. Would they allow Israel to exist, though back to the original borders? I think from the rhetoric of Arabs, that answer is no, yet they claim to be the righteous ones.

I often wish that those who offer scathing opinions of disdain upon the West and their policies, would swing the pendulum of judgment towards their own leaderships inadequacies and failures. Perhaps then true dialog could take place between our peoples.

We hear "Crusaders" and "Colonial Transgression" often from those who seek to justify much of the violence that emanates from the Middle East. Perhaps if the Arab Community cared as much about their future, as they decry the humiliations of the past, then perhaps it would be better for all involved.

Oh I get it now, every day is April Fool's Day over at Al Jazeera and the Washington Post thought it appropriate to include this article on OUR April Fool's Day.

Haha! I guess the joke is on us today! Good one!

All I can determine from Ms. Adoni's list of demands and assertions is that if she accurately represents the beliefs of Hamas supporters, then they are less interested in the peace process than in continuing the conflict.

I'm pretty sure that if they want more war, Israel will accommodate them.

To be honest most of the times I read such debates I am mostly not effected and not compelled to make any comments, however in this instance I shall change that stance. The fact is that it does not matter which type of government the palestinian people choose, their destiny is controlled by events in the USA. Until an administration comes into power in the USA that will have enough courage to be fair in its decisions in relation to the middle east, without influence of the jewish state and reliance on oil, there can never be peace over there.
Todate it has been the case that democracy is the solution, well Hamas was a by-product of that and that was not exceptable to the powers to be. The only instituition that has the power to boycott an elected body is the UN, a particular state has the right to boycott an entire country (thereby not be able to choose which government is suitable to them, this is like choosing a government for the people) I am not a supporter of Hammas as I don't live in palestine to be a judge and world media is not a good tool to judge by, but I am sure that if the west had given it a chance and went along with it, this would have allowed them in time to change their stance on Isreal. But now they have to come up with the anti to keep their power base.
My own impression is that Isreal (although legitimate in its response to attacks) is not interested in any kind of long-term peace and the two fully soverign nation system, they prefer the status quo, where the palestinian people can not be part of Isreal (for voting and political rights) and neither can they have their fully independent state. To this end they intimidate any party on the palestinian side that is willing to be play along. The political parties on both sides see it favourable to continue this way as this allows so many people to stay in power and suck funds from various sources (both Isreal and the Palestinians)to this end even USA politician benefit too!

Great article.

I never knew the "Washington Post" would allow such truth based article which is not in favour of Isreal.

Regards,
Khalid

When did the WP become a mouthpiece for Al-Jazeera?

History will show who the real terrorist in this conflict are. They push the Palestinians into a corner on purpose to delay for as long as they can any peace deal. I say, let them keep building in lands that are not thier's, then when the Palestinians return will have new homes to replace all the one's Israil has destroyed.

I agree with most of the others who have posted comments. There is little if any substance in this column and I am unsure why the Post has published it.

If anything has become clear it is that the destruction of Israel is Hamas's raison d'etre -- and that they have a continued interest in keeping it that way. Why would any country forge a relationship with an organization like Hamas? What do they gain? Nothing. Hamas and other terrorist organizations do not offer anyone anything except the continued sacrifice of innocent children that do not know any better because they are offered the Koran as their only education.

The reality of the situation is that you cannot say that Israel or the US "must" do anything. Hamas has no leverage but the continued suffering of their own people. Their stubborn refusal to give up the right of return when they could get everything else they wanted is a sign that they are not willing to bargain.

There is a law of cause and effect which Abbas has come to accept but which Hamas does not.

If the Palestinians stop attacking Israel, Israel will stop attacking the Palestinians. That is why Abbas has long been a proponent of making a deal with Israel. He loves his people. He knows that they have done everything they can to make the situation as bad as possible, and that they can stop it if they want.

Israel is not a colonial power. Cute choice of words, but I doubt that you beleive it. So you are either a liar and/or you are ignorant. No civilized power wants to deal with Hamas.

The Palastinians are in the position they would have liked to see the Israelis. They do not get "underdog" status just because their genocidal schemes failed. Hamas continues to indocrinate its young in genocidal tactics and has shown no interest in co-existing with Israel. Israel's want peace but not at any cost. Do you think that if the Palistinians persued Ghandhi-like peaceful resistance rather than terrorist antics the Palesitinains would have had a state by now? You bet!

Both countries should be dissolved and an international UN peace keeping force should replace all local military and law enforcement. An international tourist industry should be adequate to comletely support the economy. Hamas and Fatah and Israel should continue as political governing institutions without access to militaryor local police options. After a period of 10 years of peace they may again attemtpt to restore their lives together in peace as independent nations.

Blessings upon you for bringing some balance to what is often portrayed in the US Media as a one sided conversation! Israel can do no wrong and those "wily" Palestinians are the personification of evil! Bah! There is enough blood and enough guilt on both sides to last for generations! Until the Palestinians are given legitimate recognition as the bonafide occupants of the Middle East before the Jewish occupation, foisted and backed by their controlled governments in the West, this will be a never-ending soap opera, with more moments of violence amidst all-too-fleeting intervals of "peace".

American hypocrisy knows no bounds - and perhaps it will be with President Obama that we can stand down some of the more grandiose excesses of the Bush administration, allowing people their own self-determination through the ballot box, rather than at the business end of a gun. The blood on our hands is there too, sadly enough.

First, Hamas is a terrorist group bent on the destruction of a Jewish Israel, and should be adressed as such.

Second, the US, and any government has the right to support, or boycott, any other government, if you can even call Hamas a form of "Government." "Dictatorial Regime" seems somewhat more accurate.

Third, America and Israel quite obviously support Palestinian representatives who aren't hell-bent on the destruction of another nation.

Fourth, Israel is subject to many more world demands than the Palestian people. All the world is asking of the Palestian people (namely the terrorist group Hamas) is to stop bombing and killing innocent people. Walking into a Yashiva and killing innocent Yashiva students, for instance.

"[The]continued Israeli colonization of Palestinian lands." Are you insane? Israel has been giving up more and more and more of it's tiny country to help establish peace through Palestinian colonization of Israel, but Hamas has continued to bomb them all the same.

"Construction of illegal settlements, expropriation of lands and displacement of Palestinians." Israel expelled thousands of Israelis citizens from their homes, to GIVE the Palestinians dwelling in Israel, they are doing the OPPOSITE of what you are suggesting.

The vast majority of your suggestions are personally driven falacies. The subjective and biggoted nature of them is insulting to the intelligence of anyone who knows anything about the conflict in the Middle East.

Israel must, US must,...

Is it an April 1 joke or just a ``musturbation''?

The West has every right to boycott Pal. groups if they so choose- just as Arab states boycott Israel and its products. Before the Pal. voted Hamas in, the West clearly stated that funding would be cut off if Hamas came to power. Fair warning- yet the IMF records that funding to the Pal. people actually increased significantly.

Re. author's desire to fit a university 101 "colonial" model on Israel- it doesn't fit at all. It is analogous to saying that the Spanish who reconquered Spain after 700 yrs. of muslim conquest went in as a "colonial" power- utterly ridiculous, but consistent with Arab narrative to consistently disenfranchise Jews from their historical connection to Israel.

Maybe it's time to tell the palestinians to lay down their arms or ALL aid will be cut off. Hamas are terrorists and should NOT be given any authority over any decisions that effect Isreal. ALL aid should have been stopped when hamas was elected. Is it time to discuss if the the world has a need for palestians in the first place?

Perhaps the author should present her position on the legitimacy of a Jewish State in Palestine. I would bet my last nickel that she prays for the day the Jewish State vanishes. As such, she is hardly in a position to suggest what Israel should do when her hope is that it dies.

Lamis Andoni perception of the facts seem to be in stark contrast to the reality of the situation. Hallucinatory rants won't solve anything.