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Is appeasement the only way out?

Reader comment on item: Hamas vs. America

Submitted by Michael Weiss, M.D. (United States), May 3, 2005 at 21:15

How ought one view the pending reclassification of Hamas as a legitimate political partner in a newly democratic Middle East?

On the one hand, the likely support for Hamas in upcoming Palestinean elections will make it difficult for the Bush Administration not to extend recognition. After all, we cannot be in favor of only those election outcomes that comform to American policy goals. On the other hand, there has been no fundamental change in the goals of Hamas and its participation in the radical Islamic movement. The cover of elections cannot disguise the violent, anti-democratic, anti-Western, and rapidly anti-Jewish/anti-Christian core of the Hamas movement. Ditto for Hezbollah in Lebanon.

I predict that this seeming dilemma will be circumvented by an appeal to a redefinition of what are America's "true" national interests. If only we change our policies, it will be argued, perhaps we can avoid the threat of Hamas-affiliated sleeper cells already in this country. A more "realistic" and "balanced" American foreign policy toward Israel and Palestine, it will be argued, will enable America to deflect the global scope of Hamas' terrorist ambitions. More appropriate priorities, it wil be argued, should reflect an accounting of costs and benefits. In this reckoning the cost of supporting Israel will be too high.

We may achieve peace in our time, it will be argued: surely a small and stubborn people in a far away land will understand. The goal is to extend democracy; after all, we will have no choice.

Do I hear an echo of Munich?

Submitting....

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Reader comments (31) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
Here's the deal Hamas: your leg for my eye. Got it? [60 words]David Reynolds JanusFeb 6, 2006 19:2733982
Hamas: is it true what we see [60 words]NalioNov 3, 2005 08:5327728
Reality Check [134 words]Edwina SaidApr 16, 2006 07:5027728
Check that "Reality Check" [36 words]MaxMar 25, 2008 11:5927728
A cry in the wilderness [66 words]S.C.PandaMay 28, 2005 08:1922460
Hamas Terrorists vs The Nazi "Action" Squads [236 words]Dave M. O'NeillMay 10, 2005 02:4022038
Nuclear Hamas [74 words]FrederickMay 8, 2005 13:4422026
Wishing Upon Stars [246 words]John Randall PeacherMay 6, 2005 04:4922014
What About the 1993 WTC Bombing!?! [348 words]AlexMay 6, 2005 00:4922012
Muslim Group in France Is Fertile Soil for Militancy [9 words]Vishal VermaMay 5, 2005 15:5722006
blah, blah, blah [94 words]Donald OMay 4, 2005 19:5221994
Hamas must be destroyed [39 words]Marvin GoldMay 4, 2005 15:3621991
Hamas & Hizbollah [77 words]YovenMay 4, 2005 14:5321990
Infiltration [40 words]Mark HymanMay 4, 2005 08:4421987
Is democracy a viable concept in the Middle East? [163 words]Mike FitchmanMay 4, 2005 03:5021983
Is appeasement the only way out? [254 words]Michael Weiss, M.D.May 3, 2005 21:1521978
The White House [32 words]Dennis PreiserMay 3, 2005 21:1221977
Fundraising for the HAMAS fundraiser [176 words]Northern VirginiastanMay 3, 2005 18:3821974
Severe underestimation of threat [80 words]Arvind MadhavanMay 3, 2005 16:0921971
Terrorism works...a sad fact [22 words]RS BrennerMay 3, 2005 15:3121969
Be brave for a while .. [81 words]GalalMay 3, 2005 13:4921964
A voice in the wilderness [85 words]Lee D. CaryMay 3, 2005 12:3921963
When will they ever learn?....When will they ever learn?... [177 words]Janet Ann SuzukiMay 3, 2005 12:2721962
If it is true [164 words]Dray PascalMay 3, 2005 10:5121959
Hamas as "Professionals." [80 words]Sy DillMay 3, 2005 10:0521958
Agreement [68 words]Peter J. HerzMay 3, 2005 09:1421955
Hamas must be destroyed [37 words]Octavio JohansonMay 3, 2005 08:1321953
Go Ahead Make Our Day [23 words]Hamas BusterJan 26, 2006 21:3821953
AL QAEDA / HAMAS / HEZBOLLAH / ISLAMIC JIHAD !! [225 words]John SmithJan 27, 2006 14:0821953
Adam Balm on Hamas !! [163 words]Adam BalmJan 27, 2006 16:3721953
wool over your eyes [52 words]cloud nineJul 25, 2006 20:1621953

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