Hamas, Palestine and Israel

Just like the bank's computer in the Little Britain sketch, Israel says 'no' to dealings with Hamas, the victor in the recent Palestinian polls.

Whilst the fundamental problem of Hamas's refusal to accept the right of Israel to exist continues it will very likely be impossible for the Israeli government to change its current policy. On the other hand I would like to see Hamas call the Israeli bluff by renouncing its terrorist past. Unless both parties are prepared to talk to each other the prospects for a peaceful resolution of their dispute will likely remain as remote as ever. Surely the disappearances of Yasser Arafat and Ariel Sharon from the political scene should be seen as an opportunity by both sides to try to shift into a more positive direction for both their people's sakes and that compromise on both sides is likely to be necessary. Sigh.