Meshal: Hamas backs Palestinian state in ’67 borders
Hamas supports the united Palestinian position calling for the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, including Jerusalem, and the right of return for refugees, Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal told the Palestinian daily Al-Ayam.
This may well be the most important piece of news this decade. Hamas agreeing to a 2 state solution removes the only real obstacle to peace in the middle east. All the rest is excuses.
Yaba Yaba 
Now I’m holding my breath as to what Israel will to constructively reinforce this very positive development. I have no grasp of what is reasonable with respect to the blockade, the prisoners, and so on. What do you think, Y?
fleshisgrass
April 2, 2008 at 11:33 am
Reasonable in terms of rational, or in terms of what you can expect from Ulmert et al?
I think this is where focused, considered and constructive international pressure can play a critical role.
So – join this cause: talk to Hamas NOW!
yishaym
April 2, 2008 at 12:47 pm
The ‘only real obstacle’? I beg your pardon? How about a halt to settlement expansion by successive Israeli governments, including labour post-Oslo?
As for hinting that Hamas has only just accepted a palestinian state ALONG Israel, well…
“By now, virtually the entire world agrees on the two-state international consensus of the past thirty years, pretty much along the lines that were almost agreed upon at Taba. That includes all the Arab States, who actually go beyond to call for full normalization of relations with Israel. It includes Iran, although you won’t find that published here, which accepts the Arab League position. It includes Hamas; its leaders have repeatedly endorsed, called for a two-state settlement, even in articles in the US press. That also includes Hamas’s most militant figure, Khaled Meshaal, who’s in exile in Syria. And it includes the rest of the world. Israel rejects it, and the United States backs that rejection fully, not in words just, but in actions.”
http://www.democracynow.org/2007/11/27/not_through_annapolis_noam_chomsky_says
jez
April 3, 2008 at 5:04 am
I quote myself: “All the rest is excuses”. The point I was making is that now the Israeli government has no grounds for deferring negotiations and rapid establishment of a Palestinian state.
As for Chomsky – [citation needed]. As far as I know,and I will be happy to be corrected, this is the first time Meshal publicly endorses a 2 state solution based on ’67 borders. Certainly in a Palestinian channel. On the other hand, even Sharon acknowledged the need for a Palestinian state (and I’m not talking about the absurd “Jordanian option”) so I’m not sure what our dear man means when he say Israel rejected it.
yishaym
April 3, 2008 at 9:23 am
Well then I guess the so-called rejectionism of a two state-solution by Hamas was an ‘excuse’ or ‘grounds’ for building settlements. After all can a palestinian state be established while these are being expanded (and internationally recognised palestinian land being integrated into ‘Israel proper’)? Or perhaps the israeli admin intends for Ariel and other towns to be integrated into the palestinian state…Or perhaps I misunderstood you once again.
jez
April 4, 2008 at 12:22 am
According to this Wikipedia article, Meshal has previously (if recently) accepted the ’67 borders (which in practice Israeli governments have not done, since they have systematically allowed settlements to expand and include settlements within ‘Israel proper’).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaled_Mashal
Hamas’ stance is of course beside the point, since in practice, it is Israel which (while professing to ‘support’ a two-state solution), continues to prevent a viable palestinian state within the internationally recognised borders (wall, Jerusalem, settlements…).
jez
April 4, 2008 at 5:14 am