Hamas' tour of Russia, its highest-profile foreign visit, was the first crack in an international front against the group, but will not be the last. The invitation, extended by President Vladimir Putin, was followed by talks between Hamas and Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. An invitation has also come from Venezuela while South Africa has joined the list of countries inviting Hamas leaders for talks in yet another blow to efforts being made by some to isolate the group.
There are, according to a senior Hamas official, several countries in the European Union are also in secret contact with Hamas. Thus, since winning Palestinian parliamentary elections in January, Hamas has made noticeable inroads into international territory. One major reason that the international front against Hamas is crumbling is the flexibility it is showing toward Israel concerning the peace process. It has not altogether ruled out recognizing Israel, which is one of the key conditions Israel and the United States have made. Hamas ties the question of recognizing Israel as a state with the necessity for ending the occupation of the Palestinian territories.
This Hamas’ position represents a fundamental shift from the past. It has always called for Israel’s total elimination. In fact , it was this inflexible stand that set it apart from Fatah and won it the election. Instead, Hamas now talks of a big reciprocal step toward peace. What is encouraging parties from abroad to sit down with Hamas is also its moderate posture. Since winning the elections, Hamas has repeatedly said it would be willing to continue the informal truce it has upheld for more than a year if Israel reciprocates. Reports from Moscow also suggest Hamas is ready to honor all agreements the Palestinian administration undertook as part of the Middle East peace process, provided Israel takes steps to meet it halfway. Hamas is even willing to meet its obligations under the US-sponsored road map if Israel does the same.
Countries such as Russia, unlike Israel, the US and many in the EU, do not officially consider Hamas to be a terrorist organization. This is a crucial policy difference that must be recognized. They have invited — and are inviting — Hamas without imposing the pre-conditions mantra we have been hearing since the election, namely, that the group halt attacks on Israel and recognize its right to exist.
Still others agree that perhaps the biggest reason for some nations to have contacts with Hamas is to challenge the US directly — for reasons wholly unrelated to the Middle East — as the world’s only superpower. The reasons might be many but the results are the same: Hamas is slowly gaining international credibility. France suggested the Russian visit might help bring about “a return to normality in the pursuit of peace.” It is vital that Hamas be recognized and welcomed in as many capitals as possible for what it is and what it stands for — the official representative of the Palestinian people, ready for peace when the Israeli occupation, and all that that entails, at last ends.
