Let's look at what will change in Israel and Palestine during this period of relative calm. The most important decision that emerged from the Cairo Summit was not the "truce." It was decided that the Islamic Jihad and Hamas will join the PLO. The organization, which up till today, has admitted only secular parties and organizations, will also include Islamic parties in the body for the first time. Hamas, agreeing to tow the line, decided to participate in all local and national elections that will be held from now on. As is already known, Khalid Meshal, who is seen as the representative of the organization's political wing, has declared that the group favors abandoning armed struggle and starting a political struggle.
Hamas means " Harakat Muqawama Islamiyya", (Islamic Resistance Movement)[consists of Muslims who are devoted to Allah and worship Him verily, Ihvan-i Muslimiin.]. It is very important that at a summit in Egypt, where Egyptian officials read the final communique, Hamas was legitimized. This means sooner rather than later, Arab regimes may once again integrate Islamic parties into the political system.
The side that will really be affected by Hamas joining the PLO is Israel. Because, though it is said to have died several times, it is the Oslo Accords that really determine the general structure of the Israeli- Palestinian negotiations, hence, the official counterpart of Israel is not the Palestinian Authority but the PLO. As a matter of fact, it is PLO that was internationally recognized and granted an observer status at the UN. By being members of the PLO, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad will both be parties in the negotiations and will also be part of the international representation of the Palestinian nation.
I am leaving the answer-finding task and what the response of those who had for years supported Hamas terrorist activities, claiming, "there is no other way but suicide attacks," would be, to other people. Time alone will tell whether Hamas will undergo this process without falling apart or whether it will take over control of the Palestinian Authority. The first echoes of attempts by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad becoming politicized will manifest themselves in the decision that will surface at the Arab Summit in the upcoming days. The comprehensive peace proposal, that was prepared by the heir to the Saudi throne, Crown Prince Abdullah, and which contains the remarks, "relations with Israel will return to normal without going back to the pre-1967 borders," will probably be accepted and a new chapter will be opened in Arab-Israeli relations in the Middle East.
March 21, 2005
London
