Reply #20: This is the problem when you talk about Hamas

[Idealism]

Not all members are AK47-waving extremists, nor are the majority of them militants. The social arm of Hamas would win elections year after year, the problem is detaching them from the radicals in the Qassam Brigades and Executive Forces. Hamas won elections in 2006 not on the "Kill Jews and get Gaza bombed" platform, but rather on their socialistic promises for government, hard-lines against corruption, and religious adherence. The Western way of life is, not surprisingly, unpopular in the Arab world, as usury is against Sharia law, which is one part of Islamic law that I wouldn't mind (damn bank execs and their excessive interest!).

Also, depending on who in the leadership from Hamas you are speaking of, they have stated willingness to a long-term hudna. Yassin specifically offered Israel a 10-year, 20-year, and some Mossad accounts say a 50-year peace while he was being held in jail in the 1990s. As late as 2004, Yassin spoke about an "enduring calmness" that could last 20 years or well beyond, shortly before Sharron had him assassinated. There is no set spokesmen for Hamas, so their message can change often, which is another problem all together. Since 1993, Hamas has offered Israel a decade+ long peace no fewer than 15 times, although Israel isn't willing to negotiate on the Golan Heights, newly built illegal settlements in the West Bank, or East Jerusalem, so the offer was always met with silence.

With the recent invasion, like I said, it will be hard to find a moderate Hamas leader, and the group has shot themselves in the foot quite often in the past when it comes to just about everything diplomatic. I do strongly agree that if the Palestinian people could find themselves a revolutionary figure, that has a strong will, keen intellect, and a good heart, they will solve many of their problems in one fell swoop.