Avineri Answers Roger Cohen on Talking To Hamas

By Published On: April 6, 2009

Roger Cohen picks up the mantle today in the International Herald Tribune on advocating engaging Hamas. And here’s what Shlomo Avineri has to say about it:

The question is what to talk to Hamas about. . . .Most Israelis, as well as the Europeans and Americans, know that Hamas espouses the destruction of Israel. What most of them do not know is that Hamas’ founding document includes a much more comprehensive attitude, not merely to Israel and Zionism, but to the Jews.

The prologue to the covenant states that Hamas’ aim is a war – not against Israel or Zionism but against the Jewish people at large, since the Jews, and not merely Israel and Zionism, are the enemies of Islam.

And in order to remove any doubt, the entire chapter 22 is devoted to detailing the iniquities of the Jews . . .

Don’t tell me that these are merely words and Hamas must not be judged only on the basis of its covenant. Would anyone dare say that if a similar movement were to arise in Europe or America and, in addition to statements like these, was busy killing Jews?

Here’s more on Hamas’ founding charter. And here’s more Roger Cohen folly.

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