Hamas’ encouraging shift

In a first hint that Hamas might change its negotiating tactics with Israel, senior Hamas member Musa Abu Marzouq recently  told Al Quds TV that the movement is now open to the idea of negotiating directly with Israel.

“If the situation remains as it is now... Hamas could find itself forced to do this” — meaning negotiate directly — he was quoted as saying.

He even said that “from a legal perspective, there is nothing wrong with negotiating with the occupation”, a hitherto taboo in Hamas’ policy towards Israel.

If it happens, this shift could be a game changer in the Israeli-Hamas relations, provided, of course, that Israel reciprocates the Islamic movement’s readiness to talk peace directly, and not only through intermediaries.

So far, Israel has refused to talk to Hamas unless the group renounces violence, recognises Israel and accepts the international Quartet’s peace terms.

Hamas has reservations on many issues related to Israel, but once the process leading to direct talks between the two sides begins, they might surprise one and go some distance to make their contacts more meaningful and effective.

If the Islamic movement is indeed ready to reconsider its stance on negotiations with Israel, and if Israel indeed desires to achieve peace, as its leaders constantly brag, Israel should seize such opportunity and enter into talks with Hamas.

That would also provide the best opportunity to consolidate the fragile truce concluded between the two a few weeks ago, and take the two parties on a new path that could, eventually, lead to a durable peace whose benefits would be reaped by many, in the region and beyond.