The radical Palestinian movement, HAMAS has declined to talk with Israel and has called on the Arab League to reconsider the decision to support indirect negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian National Administration.
The 14 members of the Arab League of Nations had on Wednesday in Cairo decided to support indirect talks between Israel and the PNA. They argue that despite strong doubts about Israel's sincerity concerning a desire for peace, the Arab League backs the holding of 4-month indirect talks between the Palestinian National Administration and Tel-Aviv. But the ALN has added a caveat: Israel must halt all forms of construction work on Jewish settlements on occupied Palestinian lands until the resumption of direct negotiations.
The Arab League's concession is aimed at kick-starting the long stalemated Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, caused by the events at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009,when the Israeli army invaded Gaza, in retaliation for the rocket shelling of Israeli territory. The armed conflict led to the death of 1,400 people, mainly Palestinian civilians. Since then, Israelis and Palestinians have not met at the negotiating table, despite the insistent prodding by the international community.
Nobody believes that the indirect talks will lead to an earth-shaking breakthrough, but the attempt is worth making if only in an effort to break the solid ice covering the Middle East conflict. At least, the conflicting sides will have an opportunity of stating their case and putting across their opinion about a possible mutually acceptable solution. HAMAS refusal to take part in indirect talks is a matter for regret, said Boris Dolgov of the Oriental Institute:
"HAMAS position is predicated upon its radical political objectives: it desires to be the leading Palestinian movement, but its rejection of indirect talks with Israel should also be blamed on the attitude of Israeli leaders, who claim that all the cultural objects on Palestinian territory are part of Israel's National Heritage, a claim that has angered all the Arab countries, including of course, all the Palestinian movements", said Dolgov.
Calling a spade a spade though, HAMAS is guided by internal political considerations and its major goal is to be the leading movement in Palestine, said Dolgov.
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