Why Israel Can’t Make Peace With Hamas

Hamas’s desire to best Hezbollah’s achievements is natural, of course, but, more to the point, it is radicalizing. One of the reasons, among many, that Hamas felt compelled to break its cease-fire with Israel last month was to prove its potency to Muslims impressed with Hezbollah. Full Story »

Posted by Kaizar Campwala
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Posted by: Posted by Kaizar Campwala - Jan 15, 2009 - 9:42 AM PST
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Edited by: Kaizar Campwala - Jan 15, 2009 - 9:42 AM PST

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3.5
by Derek Hawkins - Jan. 15, 2009

Goldberg sets up a dialogue here that is fairly eye-opening. This brought to light aspects of the connection between Hamas and Hezbollah previously unknown to me. But ultimately (and this is on re-read) I think the author is quite disingenuous in his arguments. He jabs at the senselessness of the two groups' violent antisemitism, their radical interpretation of Islam, and their shrewd relationship with Iran. But he excludes from the piece any mention of the equally odd ties between ... More »

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4.2
by Kaizar Campwala - Jan. 15, 2009

Goldberg has a long history of engaging with this topic, and this piece is certainly thought-provoking and unique. I do wonder whether he should have acknowledged that Israel too has very hard line, racist political parties.

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3.5
by Marsha Iverson - Jan. 15, 2009

Well presented and well argued, lots of first-hand opinions through reported conversations. But several key pieces are missing, most notably the Israeli government's ceaseless stranglehold on the Occupied Territories, and the continuing, crushing deprivation, degradation and destruction Palestinians have suffered under the Israeli government's claims of self-defense. Goldberg leaves out the evident intention by the government of Israel to eradicate Palestinians for "national ... More »

I'm always intrigued by analyses that report on war like a chess match. Indeed, that is how the principals in these cases seem to base their ... More »

There is a fixed idea among some Israeli leaders that Hamas can be bombed into moderation. This is a false and dangerous notion. It is true that Hamas can be deterred ... More »

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4.5
by Stephen Selman - Jan. 15, 2009

This piece take a deeper look at the relationship between Hamas and Hezbollah than I am used to seeing. I was hoping for more primary source insight than the interviews with Nizar Rayyan, but altogether a well-formed and enlightening article. Extremely relevant at this time, given the conflict in Gaza and our escalating tensions with Iran. Highly recommended to anyone wishing to better understand these groups' ideologies, roots and motivations.

This is the type of back story reporting I wish I saw more of in mainstream media outlets. I wonder how many Americans understand Hezbollah's ... More »

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1.4
by George Blahusiak - Jan. 16, 2009

Waste of good newsprint. Yes, there is much religious fervour amongs the protagonists, but more significantly, the whole structure is encouraged by capitalists, which, as it turns out, is just another form of religion, where the god is mammon.

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4.0
by Tony Litwinko - Jan. 15, 2009

Information about face to face interviews with Hamas leaders is always of value since we see very little of it. Further, information about the Shiia versus Sunni elements of these anti-Israel movements is always valuable.

Goldberg's interview with Rayan was over two and a half years ago, with Rantisi a few years before that. Yet he confidently makes the statement on ... More »

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4.7
by Randy Morrow - Jan. 16, 2009
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4.2
by william bilek - Jan. 16, 2009

This article clearly identifies the author and his history, which allows the reader to put the opinions and comments into perspective.

I am afraid that even the meager hopes that are expressed for a Fatah-backed peace are misplaced, because, at this time, the goal of a Middle East ... More »

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    ... it was deliberate Israeli—and American—policy to weaken Fatah for years after the collapse of the Camp David talks. This “help Hamas’s enemy, Fatah” strategy is ...
    Posted by Kaizar Campwala
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