A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Friday, June 12, 2009

Is Hamas Sending a Signal?

I didn't say anything yet about Khalid Mesha‘al's remarks in Cairo, but it's certainly worth noting since it has gotten more attention onlin on e than in the mainstream media in the US.

Marc Lynch's post on Wednesday is as good a place to start as any, as well as the Al-Sharq al-Awsat story he links to, but note this translation of an Israeli piece over at Israel Policy Forum, Al-Sharq al-Awsat's interview with Mesha‘al; at the same time Jimmy Carter is saying peace isn't possible without Hamas.

I don't know if this is really a serious overture, but it's coming from the chief of the political bureau, not from Gaza officials.

And with speculation that Netanyahu is preparing to "go left" (whatever that means in Netanyahu's worldview), it might be important.

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