In a rare gesture, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas gave an interview to an Israeli newspaper on Tuesday. Haniyeh spoke to Danny Rubinstein of the Israeli daily 'Ha'aretz.'
In addition, Cabinet Secretary Ghazi Hamad did an interview on Israel radio in Hebrew which he learned while serving time for terror-related activities in an Israeli prison. He indicated that while Hamas will not recognize Israel's right to exist, a 'long-term truce' is possible if Israel agrees to withdraw from all territories it won in the 1967 Six Day War, including East Jerusalem.
'Until now we haven't talked about recognizing Israel but if Israel will agree [to withdraw] then perhaps,' Hamad said. 'Israel is looking for security and Palestinians are looking for peace, for their rights. If there is security, I think it's good for you [Israelis],' Hamad said.
After his interview with Haniyeh, Rubinstein said that he feels Hamas is trying to reach out to Israelis. 'If they are willing to deal with us on the practical, daily level, then this will bring them, actually, to come to terms [with Israel's existence],' Rubinstein said. 'It may be shocking, but my impression was that the enemy [Haniyeh] was pleasant-mannered and smiled a lot.'
The United States and European Union list Hamas as a terrorist organization for the numerous suicide bombings and other attacks they have carried out against Israeli civilians. They have cut off aid for the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority until Hamas recognizes Israel's right to exist, renounces terrorism and accepts the validity of past agreements between Israel and the P.A. Thus far, Hamas has refused to meet any of the conditions, although some view today's interviews as a first step for Hamas to at least acknowledge that it must negotiate with the Israelis in the future.
