It's Never Too Late
    Haaretz | Editorial

    Thursday 06 July 2006

    Despite the combative statements, despite the promises not to capitulate and even though every hour that passes and every Qassam that is launched raises the bar of violence and causes both sides to hold steadfastly to a commitment to use still harsher means, it is not yet too late to begin talks on ending the crisis and coming up with new agreements.

    Before making an extreme decision about assassination, or even about arresting ministers of the Hamas government, it is worth trying to speak with the Palestinians. The last few months have been wasted on expressing disappointment over the results of the Palestinian Authority elections and on striving to delegitimize the Hamas government in capital cities around the world. It seems the government of Israel had not yet given up its attempt to reverse the results of the PA elections when the Qassam fire created a justified opportunity and rationale for toppling the Hamas government via the Israel Defense Forces.

    This policy is liable to exact a high price that cannot be estimated ahead of time. The statements that there is no one controlling the PA - and that there not even anyone who can bring about the release of the abducted soldier or halt the Qassam fire - could turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Israel does not need to play a part in this chaos, and it must not nurture futile hopes that the Palestinians will choose a more moderate leadership after Israel topples the current elected government.

    An early recognition of the Hamas government would possibly have moved the organization away from terror and toward politics; and possibly not. The attempt hasn't had enough of a chance. The Israeli prime minister did not meet with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, arguing that Abbas no longer represents the Palestinians. On the other hand, Ehud Olmert did not agree to meet with the elected government until it meets the preconditions Israel determined. It's doubtful the meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, without conditions, would have damaged Israel's deterrent power or its negotiating ability.

    It is not too late to try to hold talks, before the military activities intensify further, even if there is no plan at the moment to swap the soldier for Palestinian prisoners. Perhaps a dialogue with representatives of the Hamas government - which should not be considered capitulation, but an attempt to search for a diplomatic channel to resolve the situation - will allow Haniyeh to finally function as a prime minister after the months of ostracism and boycott.

    Perhaps the increased closeness between him and Abbas has created an opportunity to make new rules that will exert calm. After the Hamas government is eradicated, there will be no one to speak to - even about a short hudna (security lull), not to mention a long-term one, like the one Haniyeh offered after he was elected - and the prisoners' national unity document will become another piece of paper illustrating a missed opportunity.

    The Israeli government is committed to safeguarding the well-being of its citizens, whether they are residents of Gush Katif - whose evacuation from Gaza was done, among other reasons, to protect their lives - or whether they are residents of Sderot or Ashkelon. Israeli citizens in the large cities have been and continue to be exposed to the terror of suicide bombers who have killed hundreds of people and wounded thousands.

    As long as the conflict continues, violent ways will be found to make the lives on both sides miserable, and there is no certain method of eliminating the infrastructure of hatred aside from constantly striving for dialogue, whoever the partner may be.