Kucinich:We Can Negotiate Peace in Gaza: Here's How

[eridani]

http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/289-134/25085-we-can-negotiate-peace-in-gaza-heres-how

In 2006, Congress passed S. 2370, which in Section 9 established conditions which Hamas must meet in order for the US to negotiate with it:

•Recognize Israel's right to exist.
•Renounce aggression.
•Dismantle the infrastructure used to carry out attacks against Israel.
•Accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

A new Palestinian national unity government, announced on June 2, 2014, accepted those identical conditions. However, ambiguity about Hamas' role in the new unity government has led the media and some members of Congress to assume that the United States remains barred from negotiation with Hamas.

Meanwhile, the Israeli government and Hamas are at an impasse over Hamas' status. Hamas is the democratically elected, legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Failure to accept the election which brought Hamas to leadership closes a path toward resolution of the current crisis and violates the civil and political rights of Palestinians, who are protected by international law, to elect the representatives of their choice.

In Gaza, civilian deaths in a situation of apartheid occupation, characterized by complete power asymmetry, can be described as a crime against humanity. As of today, over 1,262 Palestinians, and three Israelis have lost their lives. More than 240 Palestinian children have been killed. In the early hours of this morning, while a ceasefire was being negotiated, Israel hit a UN girls' school, killing 20 refugees.

The US, given its longstanding support of Israel and its $3.2 billion annual aid ($8.5 million per day, $114 billion since 1949), including provision of military weapons, is in a singular position to put an end to the slaughter through openly entering into negotiations with Hamas.