Negotiating with Terrorists

The Democratic Republic of Hamas has claimed responsibility for last week's Jerusalem seminary attack.

This is the trouble with ascribing any credibility to a terrorist organization, even if that terrorist organization is "elected". Bush haters love to taunt his naive cramming the round peg of democracy into the square hole of a theocratic, tribal, monarchical culture that is a century or two behind the West in terms of Jeffersonian ideas. All true, but where does that get anyone? Which ironically may be the terrorists' ace card.

On its face, I've always supported the not negotiating with terrorists in any way. But we're in danger of being gamed by some of the smarter terrorist organizations on this point. While it's obvious that caving in to terrorist demands as a direct result of a suicide bombing is unacceptable, I pray this latest shooting doesn't derail the nascent progress Olmert and Abbas are making.

It seems to me that breaking off all negotiations with the Palestinians as a result of every terrorist act is negotiating with terrorists. They want the process derailed. Nothing would make Hamas happier (for both idealistic and a civic power reasons) than a stoppage in any talks with Abbas. They don't want any progress towards a Palestinian state that leaves Israel in tact. The bravest denunciation of terrorism is to keep things on track towards peace. Props to Olmert, Abbas, and Washington for realizing this.