SAY, UNCLE:

Hamas must recognise Israel and cease violence (Daily Telegraph, 12/09/2006)

A positive construction on the decision of Hamas and Fatah to form a coalition would see it as the tempering of radical zeal by the responsibilities of government.

Indeed, Hamas has moved from issuing a fatwa against participating in the first Palestinian elections in 1996 to contesting and winning those to the legislative council last January. [...]

The agreement stems not from mutual affection – Hamas despises Fatah's moderation and corruption – but from mutual need: Mr Haniyeh wants the money, Mr Abbas the restoration of presidential authority denied by a hostile government. Hamas said yesterday that the agreement did not amount to recognition of Israel. But the texts on which it is thought to be based – a Saudi-inspired peace plan adopted by the Arab League in 2002 and a national conciliation document issued by Palestinian prisoners in May – imply acceptance of Israel's existence.