By David Martin Abrahams
Feb 23, 2010
Nobody in the UK could have missed the James Bond farce of the murder of Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai, allegedly (and probably) by the Israeli Mossad. The rude act of stealing innocent people's identity, the indifference to basic diplomatic manners and the operational sophistication, can only be understood as Israeli fingerprints. Above all that, I think that between the lines, we can see that Israeli officials find it hard to curb their enthusiasm since, as they grasp it, another "bad guy" is now biting the dust.
Leaving the diplomatic hullabaloo aside, I wish to focus on a much more fundamental, even controversial, question: why kill Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in the first place? I will explain the irrational act of the killing in a simple 3-step logical move:
a. Israel claims it wishes to make peace with the Palestinians.
b. Countries make peace with their enemies.
c. Hamas, and al-Mabhouh, are Israel's enemies.
Indeed, this logical move is somehow simplistic, but its point is clear: if Israel really wishes to achieve peace and security, it should not act like the neighbourhood bully.
Another aspect is the way Israel conceives its enemies. In the same way as many other conflict regions, the hostility between Israel and the Palestinians began in a violent act, evolved into emotional, popular hatred, incited by local politicians in order to promote their goals and beliefs. That is, on the decision makers' level, hostility is (or at least better be) a question of interest, not of emotion.
I tend to believe that on the operational and political levels; leaders – even leaders of terrorist organizations like Hamas – are led by a combination of ideology and real politic, hence taking decisions on a rational basis. "Pure" ideological movements such as al-Qaida, that have no political responsibility towards their electorate, are rare.
The day will come when Israel will have to conduct conversations with Hamas; it is just too big to be ignored. In this context, a person involved in the conflict in Northern Ireland accurately described the situation: suppose you are sitting in a room along with a caged lion. Now, in two weeks time the cage will be unlocked. How about start talking with the lion right now?
And, when these talks will take place, both sides will throw into the ring their toughest men: level-headed, experienced, intelligent men, who can negotiate with the other side while protecting their nation's interests. Bitter enemies as they are, these men are also professional and instrumentalists: their career is based on fighting the enemy, but they understand that war is the continuation of diplomacy by other means.
And, in these rooms where these talks will take place, a man like the dead Mahmoud al-Mabhouh will be needed: a sophisticated, tough person, who had murdered Israelis as part of the struggle, but a man who can read the map and see that the times are changing.
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