Despite the fact that Hamas was not part of the Annapolis parley, it should deal positively with the nature of the upcoming stage. There is a political dynamic amid talking about negotiations to end the conflict and establish the Palestinian state. Hamas should be part of this dynamic with all commitments and rights provided that it abandons its old stances and the radical way in dealing with problems. All indicators confirm that Hamas lost so much given its takeover of Gaza and that it is involved in something which it does not know how to rid of.

The national interest of the Palestinians lies in boosting the Palestinian stance in the upcoming negotiations. If Hamas thought deeply, it could have inferred that Abu Mazen admits that it is part of the Palestinian people. And if it scrutinized the Annapolis parley, it could have found that Abu Mazen did not give up any of the higher Palestinian interests which Hamas agrees with, so why not to boost his stance?

And how does Hamas continue to impose national, geographic and political split between Gaza and the West Bank? Boosting the Palestinian negotiator on the part of Hamas helps clear the air before a Palestinian reconciliation and end the current state of split.

Tareq Hassan
Al Ahram

1/12/2007