The killing of eight rabbinical students by an East Jerusalem Palestinian is worrying news for Israel. There had been no suicide bombing in the last few years in the country. Thursday’s shooting has shattered that comforting fact. It also reflects the feeling of all Palestinians that they are not happy with so-called peace talks between Fatah and Israel. The killing of 120 Palestinians in the Israeli attack on Jebaliya has in effect buried Annapolis.
Mahmoud Abbas called off the talks after Jebaliya killings, but was convinced by Condoleezza Rice to backtrack. One assumes similar pressure has made Israel to declare its commitment to the talks despite the killing of the eight students. Though the shooter was from Hamas, its leaders in Gaza shunned any responsibility. It was perhaps a Hezbollah operation.
Whoever might have authored this suicide killing, it is time Israel started thinking hard and makes changes in its policies towards Palestine. Clearly, talking with Fatah and shunning Hamas has not worked. It should understand that mere beefing up of security and military strikes on Gaza will not make the problem go away. Air strikes on Gaza will not stop the rockets fired from there. A radical change in thinking is needed.
Israel will have to muster all its courage and invite Hamas for talks. I know this is easier said than done and will need a lot of courage on the Israeli side. Israelis have never lacked courage. They should give peace a chance and start talking with Hamas. There is no other way.
Source: CNN
