Mashaal said Hamas would accept a Palestinian state limited to the lands Israel seized in 1967 — that is, the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. But he said the group would never outright formally recognize Israel.
Earlier, Carter said that Hamas is prepared to accept the right of Israel to “live as a neighbor next door in peace.”
Carter said the group promised it wouldn’t undermine Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ efforts to reach a peace deal with Israel, as long as the Palestinian people approved it in a referendum. In such a scenario, he said Hamas would not oppose a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza.
Hamas has traditionally opposed peace negotiations with the Jewish state.
Carter’s comments came after his much criticized meetings with the top Hamas leaders in Syria in last week.
Over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he decided not to meet with Carter in Israel because he does not wish to be seen as participating in any negotiations with Hamas.
The politics of peace seems quite complicated. And Israel doesn't seem to really want peace in my humble yet vocal opinion. Its bullshit on a stick.
I will travel homeward tomorrow..and I have never been happier at the thought of sleeping in my own bed and leaving my yuppie sista from hell in my rear view mirror.
