YES, WE CAN, we can and must talk to Hamas

Byron A. Ellis – December 30, 2008

Obama is correct; no one wants their children and friends exposed to rockets. However, it is also true that no one wants his or her children starved because of an unjust economic blockade or bombed. So, when the new administration evaluates the Israeli Palestinian conflict it ought to be in the context of the promised of change.

Thus, it is unfair to blame Hamas alone for the conflict. Both, the Israel and Hamas are responsible for the conflict. What if Israel had allowed the free flow of goods and services to Gaza, the outcome would have been different.

Achieving peace does not mean that we support our friends when they are wrong or inflict pain on our adversaries when they are right. This type of frontier justice has been consistently applied to people of color. And, YES, WE CAN, the incoming administration can seriously examine the grievances of the Palestinian people, including Hamas’ grievances.

Violence is never the answer to problems and challenges. Therefore, the U.S. should tell both Palestine and Israel to cease and desist.

When we use violence, how can we distinguish ourselves from those that we label terrorists?

Indeed, this present conflict between Hamas and Israel will be a defining moment for the new administration. It can choose the promised change or the continuation of the same failed policies.

The new administration must talk to both Israel and Hamas and offer workable solutions to the conflict. One solution that appears acceptable to the Palestinians is the removal of the economic stranglehold imposed by Israel and the removal ought to be contingent zero rockets fired into Israel from Palestine and no Israeli incursion into Palestine. Additionally, Israel should compensate Palestine for human and material destruction as a result of the invasion.

Secondly, Hamas and Fatah should form a unified government, and reunify Gaza and the West Bank within 90 days. Moreover, within an agreed period not to exceed 24 months, an internationally monitored election should be held. And, within this period Palestine and Israel should negotiate a permanent solution to the status of relationship between the two countries.

It is a gross mistake for the incoming administration to articulate the same clichés of incompetence; that is not change.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to solve a conflict without talking to the parties involved in the conflict. If we choose not to talk is an indication that we’ve no interest in solving the conflict.

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