BETWEEN DOGMA AND DIPLOMACY LIES INEVITABILITY:

Hamas leader roils Israel debate: Ismail Haniyeh appeared to suggest that peace could be made with Israel under certain conditions. (Ilene R. Prusher, 2/27/06, The Christian Science Monitor)

After a weekend during which it was portrayed as a party that might be ready to make peace with Israel under certain circumstances, Hamas has found itself walking a fine line between dogma and diplomacy. [...]

"There were three clear benchmarks which were articulated by the secretary-general," says Mark Regev. "He said that if Hamas wants to reach the level of internationally accepted interlocutor, they have to totally recognize Israel, they need to renounce terrorism, and come on board with international agreements.

"Ismail Haniyeh did not reach any of those benchmarks and that's clear," he adds. "We shouldn't let Hamas get away with word games. He's trying to market his product, but I still don't think it makes the mark."