Rami Khouri puts forward what he claims are “six basic aspects of Hamas’ world view and political program [that] should be appreciated more clearly by those who claim to seek to promote an Arab-Israeli peacemaking process” which “form a coherent foundation for potential negotiations, peace, security and coexistence”.

If Mr. Khouri truly wants us to understand Hamas, why does he not discuss the official Hamas Covenant, the group’s guiding document which outlines its goals and aspirations? Perhaps it is because it clearly articulates the group’s rejection of there ever being peaceful coexistence with Israel. Article Thirteen of the Covenant reads:

“Initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences, are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement…. There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavours.”

I encourage everyone to read the Hamas Covenant to see for themselves what they truly stand for.