After Hamas secured the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, should the world now talk to Hamas?

Question

Hi

I'm James Harrod and I work for the BBC World Service's programme "World Have Your Say". We're on air at 1800-1900 BST. We'd like to hear your views on the following topic:

A day after Hamas secured the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, we're asking should the world now talk to Hamas?

Washington and the European Union regard Hamas as a terrorist organisation and when it formed a Palestinian government, aid to the Palestinian Authority was cut off, a policy that has been criticised by some observers.

But earlier today, a group of British Members of Parliament has called for a new relationship with the Hamas movement.

So the question is should the international community now talk to Hamas?

Get in touch with us if you'd like to join our debate:

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tel: [phone]

Answer 1

It's not real difficult to release a kidnap victim when you're the one who kidnapped him in the first place.

Hamas is a terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel. Until they repudiate that stance and shun their terrorist roots and members, they should remain an international pariah.

Answer 2

Yes, definitely. However i cant see this scenario happening simply because USA and GB have more or less have made their minds up that they are NOT going to cooperate with Hamas. Russia, UK and Usa say if Hamas are to be recognized they have to:
1.) Stop their violent actions
2.) Recognize Israel as being legit.

This is so hypocritical of Eng, Russ, and USA. Hamas I am sure will stop their attacks if the West stop being violent and stop starting unnecessary wars in the middle east. Secondly, recognize Israel? WHY SHOULD ANYONE recognize Israel when it's very existence is illegal and a crime upon humanity. How many more bullets need to be fired before THE WORLD realizes that if there was no Israel, there would be no violence and Muslims, Jews would live happily together just like before when Israel never existed..
The very fact that Hamas got Allan out of there alive surely is enough to prove that really amidst the media propaganda, they Are willing to cooperate and be peaceful. Look at Ken Bigley, how come Alan didnt suffer the same fate? Simple. Hamas WANT to cooperate but only if Israel is condemned as being illegal and the West stop their so called 'war on terror' which is just another phrase for 'war against the Middle east'.

Answer 3

One main condition is of recognizing Israel is too harsh for them. However, there is no harm in discussing with them about Road map. Recognition of Israel should be subject to fulfillment of the conditions in road map. However, hostile attitude from Israel and Hamas must be changed at any cost. Both the countries must realize that world atmosphere has completely changed. Bush is very serious to end terrorism. .
International community must talk to Hamas. This is the only way to pacify them and promote peace in the area. Taking part is no solution.

Answer 4

Unless Hamas renounce violence and recognise Israel talking to them is pointless. You can't have an elected government who have at their heart the destruction of another state.

Whilst I'm glad Alan Johnston has been freed, Hamas themselves are still holding Cpl Gilad Shalit and want over 1,000 prisoners (including murderers) freed in return for him.

The International Community should not talk to Hamas until they recognise Israel, renounce violence and release Cpl Shalit.

Answer 5

Of COURSE your Parliament should talk to them; they are the democratically-elected representatives of the Palestinian people (at least in Gaza at this point.)
Contrary to what Uncle John thinks, Hamas has done a great deal for the Palestinians, providing them with hospitals, schools, medicine, foodstuffs and other necessities. It's not difficult to see why the Palestinians turned away from Fatah; after decades of "negotiations" with Israel, Fatah failed to secure a Palestinian state. This was of, course, due to Israel's intractibility...we have Israel to thank for the rise of Hamas. Hamas isn't going away.
Now the world needs to deal with it, and them.

Answer 6

First of all, my answer is, no, there should be no talks with fanatic war mongering Islamists. Besides, why didn't the "civilized" West shunned "regimes" which were democratically and fairly elected (such as the "Milosevic Regime"), without "Nazis Vs. Jews" style propaganda, and without other distortions of facts and shunning people? Since it did, then at least shun the Hamas too.

Answer 7

British Members of Parliament have also called for banning Israeli academics - in fact, the list of British responses has been anything but unbiased.

Hamas was able to secure Johnston's release precisely because they are a terrorist organization. That they have done one good thing - for their own motives - does not change their history or their philosophy.

Britain was also the country that signed the treaty with Hitler. It is respectfully suggested that their track record has not improved over the years in terms of recognizing and dealing with foreign dangers.

Answer 8

Yes. If the world had talked to them in the first place there wouldn't have been so much suffering in Gaza or so much desperate bitterness and desire for revenge against Israel.

Desperate people do desperate things.

http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2006/12/1733200.php

Answer 9

Talk to them and settle this issue. Maybe keep it as an option.

Answer 10

last I checked, hamas is a terrorist group. you can't negotiate with terrorists.