Posted by
James Biga on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 9:16:09 PM
It seems that there is a different answer everyday to the "truce" being mediated by Egypt. The only thing constant is the silence of the Israeli government.
Hamas said on Wednesday that Israel's conditions for a truce were making it extremely difficult to reach an agreement, with some saying the talks were already dead.
Who is this Hamas Official. His account seems to differ from the other Hamas accounts. Is the reporter getting it wrong? Is it an Hamas "official" trying to insert himself into some position of importance?
According to a Hamas official in the Gaza Strip, the Egyptians may announce the failure of the truce talks in the wake of Hamas's refusal to accept the Israeli conditions.
Here we go. It was only a matter of time. Israel is willing to cede whatever Hamas wants but they have conditions. Just what are these conditions?
1. "Israel wants a free truce," he said. "They don't want to offer anything in return. They want an end to the rocket attacks in return for an end to their aggression."
How is this unacceptable? Since the only aggression Israel has participated in involved the failed attempt to stop these rocket attacks.
2. He noted Israel had made it clear to the Egyptians that the borders would be reopened only after a truce went into effect and was not violated by any of the Palestinian factions.
Once again, isn't this an acceptable condition? Why would Israel just cede everything and hope that Hamas finds a sense of honor and lives up to it's "promise". By the way, islamists are allowed to lie to infidels. This means that they don't have to live up to any agreements they sign.
3. Moreover, Israel was conditioning the reopening of the border crossings on the release of kidnapped IDF Cpl. Gilad Schalit, the official added.
This is more than reasonable. These are all minor conditions. Hamas should be glad that the entire Gaza Strip hasn't yet been razed.
Another Hamas official accused Israel of placing "obstacles" on the road to achieving a truce.
"Israel's conditions are completely unacceptable," he said. "These conditions are clearly aimed at foiling Egypt's efforts."
Does this answer all those leftists out there who like to demonize Israel? Of course it doesn't. None of this will make the MSM outside of Israel.
Tragically, I don't believe the Ehud's will let a little thing like Hamas' rejection to stop them from agreeing to the "truce" anyway.