Gaza cease-fire, new era in US fuel talk of Hamas

War ends in the Gaza Strip, a new U.S. president is sworn in, and suddenly this week there is new talk about contacts between sworn enemies Israel and Hamas. But talk may be as far as it goes. Neither the contenders in Israel's election nor Barack Obama seem to share a view that, with the Islamists blooded but unbowed in Gaza where people now require massive aid, Israel and its allies should end a boycott of Hamas in both Palestinians' interests and their own.

Seizing on signs that Europe, disturbed by killing and poverty in Gaza and emboldened by change in Washington, might reconsider its ban on contact with the Palestinian Islamists, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal claimed "victory" and said on Wednesday: "I tell European nations ... it is time for you to deal with Hamas."

New reality

It is a sentiment that is finding some echo elsewhere, even if a dramatic front-page appeal by leading Israeli writer David Grossman in Haaretz newspaper remains a marginal view in Israel: "Instead of ignoring Hamas ... we would do better to take advantage of the new reality that has been created by beginning a dialogue with them immediately." Only dialogue could avert mutual destruction, Grossman said. Hamas rejects talks that would imply recognition of Israel, though does not rule out all contact. Unlike other Palestinian groups, it has not accepted Israel and wants all its territory, but Hamas leaders have also offered Israel a "long-term truce."

At a meeting on Wednesday with Israeli officials, EU foreign ministers were asked if they should now speak directly to Hamas. Finland's Alexander Stubb said: "It is time to start slowly reflecting how we get all parties round the table. No comprehensive solution can be taken without Hamas." Obama, who offered "a new way forward" with the Muslim world at his inauguration, has prompted speculation he may be readier than his predecessor to talk to enemies. But he has given little indication of change in the policy toward the Palestinians.

Within the Quartet of mediators, with the EU, United Nations and Russia, Washington under Obama's predecessor George W. Bush ensured a boycott of Hamas as "terrorists" and set three conditions for that to change: give up violence, recognize Israel and accept existing, interim peace accords. Israel can count on support in the U.S. Congress to inhibit any major change in policy on Hamas. White House comments indicated little change for now - support for Israel and, notably, for Abbas.

Israel has little appetite for embracing Hamas, seen there as a pawn of Iran and a promoter of dozens of suicide bombings. Retired French diplomat Yves Aubin de la Messuziere, who met Hamas leaders twice last year, told Le Monde: "If Obama truly wants to be the American president who resolved this conflict, there will have to be a dialogue with Hamas." But U.S. analyst David Frum said talking to violent men was "an invitation to more violence." He wrote: "Advocates of talks with terrorists often present themselves as pragmatists. Not so. They are guided by unstated biases and pure wishful thinking."