By Luo Shan
On Monday, a legislative member of Islamic Hamas declared it
would not plot suicide assault on Israel in the future.
Such an expression, which reflects Hamas' pragmatic manner in
dealing with many thorny issues, both internal and external, since
being sworn into office, will undoubtedly help prevent the
ever-escalating tension between Israel and Palestine from
developing into an uncontrollable crisis.
"Demilitarization" serves as an important step the Islamic group
has taken to transform itself into a political faction.
As a militant group that has won support from the Palestinians
and a legitimate ruling status in Palestine, Hamas has not,
however, won back trust from the international community because of
its past image.
It is an undisputable fact that it would be very difficult for
the Palestinian authorities that need billions of US dollars every
year for normal operation to survive if substantial aid from the
Arab world and the international community is cut.
Since winning the Palestinian parliamentary elections in
January, Hamas has thus made unrelenting efforts to open up a new
diplomatic situation, but to little avail.
The fundamental reason is that the Islamic group has long been
branded a terrorist organization by Western nations.
A few days ago, the US and the EU formally announced an end to
direct funding aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government,
plunging the new regime into a dilemma.
Under these circumstances, as an important step toward
demilitarization and transformation into a political faction,
Hamas' announcement of a halt to its long-used suicide bombings
demonstrates its obvious scramble for survival in the international
community.
The top priority facing the Hamas government is to resolve
internal strife.
The democratic election has extended to Hamas a rare chance to
come onto the Palestinian political stage as a protagonist, but it
also must face the price brought about by democracy that is, the
fierce jockeying for power among various political factions
following the elections.
The collective departure of a number of senior officials of the
Palestine National Liberation Movement, or Fatah, from the
political arena since Hamas won control over the Palestinian
government has added enormous difficulties.
Now a very difficult issue facing Hamas is its shortage of
senior talents skilled at political and economic affairs.
Also, the disobedience of the militant factions affiliated with
Fatah has created a great obstacle to social stability for the new
Hamas-led Palestinian government.
The recent outbreaks of armed violence among Palestine's armed
forces have already put Hamas' governing ability to the test.
At the same time, Israel has also exerted great pressures upon
the new regime.
Politically, the country announced its disengagement with the
Hamas-led Palestinian government. It has also strengthened military
strikes upon Palestinian armed forces.
Facing an internal and external dilemma, Hamas had to choose a
tactic to appease internal conflicts first.
Through declaring a halt to suicide attacks against Israelis,
the Islamic group aims to show its position to the generations-long
foe that it will not make trouble first. As a goodwill gesture to
Israel, the announcement also demonstrates Hamas' efforts to avoid
escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Because of a need to stabilize its domestic political
foundation, the Interim Israeli Cabinet has so far demonstrated an
increasingly tough position toward Palestinians. But so far Israel
has not taken any further military actions against Hamas, in the
obvious hope of leaving possibilities for their future
engagement.
Hamas is also fully conscious that it should distance itself
from its previous radical stance, while insisting on a tough
position or armed struggle to avoid Israel's misjudgment of it that
may ignite an escalation of conflict.
The obviously pragmatic tendency Hamas has displayed to the
outside world since taking office has eased concerns slightly over
the strained Palestinian-Israeli situation.
However, more efforts are needed from both sides to put aside
enmity and misgivings between the two and to create a suitable
environment for them to sit side by side at the negotiating table
to push for badly needed peace in the region.
The author is a researcher with the Institute of
International Information.
(China Daily April 14, 2006)
