US Outsource Gaza Negotiations to Intermediaries
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has finally arrived in Cairo, to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Presumably working through a series of intermediaries to avoid direct contact with representatives of the Palestinian resistance, Kerry hopes third and forth parties can find terms acceptable to the Gaza fighters. This could be a mistake. As stated in previous posts, many think its time the United States had a face to face with Hamas.
Wiser minds feel direct talks between high level U.S. officials and the so-called militants may be the one and only avenue left to a cessation of the ongoing violence. Refusing to engage Hamas publicly is nothing less than a very public slight. It places the Palestinian negotiators in a position of subordination. They are made to feel unworthy of direct talks with the United States. If the Obama administration was so moved to send John Kerry all the way to Cairo, it almost seems silly not to go all the way.
One can only presume the U.S. stance on maintaining a disrespectful distance from Hamas is to keep Hamas from claiming they were able to bring the mighty U.S. to the bargaining table. Perhaps the Obama administration fears talking to Hamas is a sign of weakness. Perhaps Hamas will feel as though they were an equal. Perhaps Hamas would get the idea, that they'd actually won something. If this is what the administration is thinking, perhaps they should think again.
The very reason Hamas is resisting to the bitter-end this time, is because of what they feel is the relentless unjust demonizing, ostracizing and isolation. Hamas feels, as democratically elected representatives of the people of Gaza, they have every right to demand respect for Palestinian dignity sovereignty and their right to be fully included in any discussions that will impact their right to self determination.
In reality, this conflict is far more about respect, or the lack thereof, than anything else. The moment John Kerry has the authority to look directly into the eyes of Hamas' Khaled Mashal and ask, what can be done to make this situation right, is moment the world will witness the first true steps towards peace in the Middle East.
Bottom line: With a death toll running up faster than a New York City taxis fare stuck in traffic, the pressure is now on the White House to do something other than simply tout support for Israel's right to defend itself. Pledging $47 million in humanitarian aid to the thousands of wounded and the tens of thousands now permanently homeless is a start, but if the Obama administration don't start talking to the right people soon, no amount of money will be able to repair the physical mental and emotional damage being inflicted on Palestinians.
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