Tad Seth Parzen
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AJC official urges the world to isolate Hamas
diplomatically
By Tad Seth Parzen
jewishsightseeing.com, January 21, 2006
It is imperative
that the international community remain united in not dealing with Hamas unless
and until it changes its policy, in word and deed, regarding Israel.
The Quartet – the U.S., the EU, Russia and the UN – declared after
the Palestinian elections that all members of the Palestinian government must be
committed to nonviolence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous
Palestinian agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap.
Anything that
confers legitimacy on Hamas before it fulfills the requirements of the Quartet
will only undermine prospects for peace.
Like the majority
of Israelis, the American Jewish Committee-San Diego Chapter supports a
negotiated two-state solution that will establish a peaceful Palestinian state
alongside a secure state of Israel. There are no short-cuts in achieving this
goal and we are deeply concerned that the international community’s commitment
to shun the terrorist organization already has begun to unravel.
Turkey’s
official welcome of Hamas leaders in Ankara and Russian President Putin’s
planned meeting with Hamas in Moscow demonstrate a puzzling weakening of resolve
regarding an organization that is on the European Union and U.S. lists of
terrorist organizations.
All must
recognize that Hamas is emblematic of the growing radical and violent Islamist
movements that threaten Christians, Jews, and moderate Muslims worldwide.
Whether Hamas can change its ways is highly doubtful, but if it can’t or
won’t then the onus for conditions in Gaza and the West Bank will be on the
Hamas leaders themselves as well as the Palestinians who elected this
leadership.
Parzen is president of the San Diego chapter of the American Jewish Committee