Hamas were not going to Cairo to negotiate, but rather attempt to buy more time for its political maneuvering, bearing in mind that all it wants to do is improve its image on the Arab Street. As for Hamas’ excuse for backing out of the negotiations, namely political prisoners held by Fatah, this is merely a smoke screen at best. And even if this excuse was true, wasn’t it Hamas’ obligation to meet with the Palestinian government and attempt to resolve these outstanding problems? …
Since Hamas began negotiating with the Egyptians in Cairo, several elements within the movement have called for a foreign non-Egyptian mediator, more in line with the German mediation between Israel and Hezbollah. By calling for foreign mediation, Hamas is simply trying to buy more time, which is in line with the Iranian policy seen in the last three months, which compromises of keeping a low-profile, allowing them to gain international legitimacy which in turn won them internal legitimacy, and an international breakthrough.
The signature of Hamas has always been that of missed opportunities, and disengaging from Arab countries. … And so it is up to the Arabs—and this is for the best—not to waste their time with Hamas, and to support the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the legitimate Palestinian government, since Abbas is a politician who does not gamble, and sticks to the important regional issues. Access the full article>>