Failure to recognize Hamas is a mistake

By MITCHELL PLITNICK
KNIGHT RIDDER/TRIBUNE
In the wake of Hamas' stunning victory in the Palestinian elections on Jan. 25, President Bush reiterated his refusal to recognize a Palestinian government that includes Hamas. This is neither sensible nor consistent with America's own precedents. And it only hurts the hope for peace.
In the late 1990s, a breakthrough was on the horizon after centuries of conflict in Northern Ireland. The United States was among the many nations that recognized that it was more important to engage Sinn Fein -- the political wing of the Irish Republican Army -- than it was to insist that the IRA completely disarm as a precondition for participating in the fledgling unity government.
History showed this to be the right decision. It is precisely that sort of pragmatic vision that is needed in America's relations with the new Palestinian Authority.
Hamas has not shown any inclination toward disarmament. But it has shown itself to be open to melding its armed wing with Palestinian Authority security forces.
What's more, it has already broken with its past by indicating a willingness to talk, albeit indirectly, with Israel. This is real progress toward a significant decrease in violence.
Even if it falls short, that is not a reason to confine Hamas to the path of shooting and suicide bombing. Freezing Hamas out of the political process will do just that. Engaging it keeps a lot of the violence at bay and significantly increases the hope for a lasting peace.
There are plenty of good reasons to view Hamas with disdain.
Its charter cites "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," the notorious blueprint for modern anti-Semitism. It has repeatedly targeted civilians in violent attacks, which is a war crime regardless of whether one's people are under occupation or not. It has stated that its goal is an Islamic state in all of what was Palestine under British rule from 1921 to 1948. And it refuses to change the parts of its charter that bar recognition of, or compromise with, Israel.
But Hamas is now conceding that its violent struggle is unlikely to produce anything for the Palestinians. Despite its attempts to depict the Israeli pullback from the Gaza Strip as a triumph for its violent tactics, Hamas and the Palestinian masses knew very well that this was not the case.
Now that Hamas has effectively conceded that point, it is not the time to push it back down the road toward more violence.
Social services
Hamas' popularity is not based primarily on its attacks on Israelis or on its religious views, much less on its anti-Semitism. Its popularity is based on the social services it has provided, and the sense that it is not corrupted as so many in the ruling Fatah Party have become.
If the United States refuses to recognize a government that won such a huge percentage of the vote, it would deliver a crushing blow to Palestinian hopes for justice and democracy.
As the West Bank barrier grows, the Israeli government is seeing the possibility of cutting Israel off from the Palestinians, dismantling more settlements and essentially setting the boundaries of the future without having to negotiate with the Palestinians. The Hamas-led government will provide the Israeli government with a great excuse to proceed unilaterally.
But that strategy depends on the United States supporting a boycott of a Palestinian Authority led by Hamas. If America is willing to talk to the Palestinian Authority, it could be impossible for Israel to refuse to do so.
It's yet another example of the need for America to be a true friend to Israel by being a friend to all the people of the region and pushing Israel toward peace. Only a negotiated settlement that respects the legitimate needs and aspirations of both sides can bring a true and lasting peace.
Mitchell Plitnick, director of policy at Jewish Voice for Peace, wrote this for Progressive Media Project, a source of liberal commentary on domestic and international issues that is affiliated with The Progressive magazine. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services