Hamas, a hardline Palestinian militant group, is still firmly refusing to recognize Israel's existence. But lately Hamas was softened. In a statement issued in Doha, Hamas Political Bureau Chief Khaled Meshal in May this year said he accepted Israel's right to exist. Thus, we reiterate that supporting the Palestinian struggle for independence is to support the Palestinian sovereignty over the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israel has withdrawn from the Gaza Strip in 2005. But then Israel imposed a very tight blockade, arguing for protection from Hamas terror attacks, especially against Israeli civilians. Meanwhile, Israel still occupies a part of the West Bank territory, and only let the Palestine Authority control some of the territory that Israel has for them. This is what to fight for. Israel withdrew completely from both regions, abolishing all the settlements they built in the West Bank, and ending the blockade of the Gaza Strip. The occupation of the West Bank and the blockade against Gaza is the present form of Israeli occupation. That's what needs to end. How can that be achieved? Israel needs security guarantees for them. Hamas must be able to control all elements of power in Gaza to stop attacking Israel. Is it possible? That remains a big question. Is it serious that Hamas's statement that they want to recognize Israel? No one knows. It is quite possible that one faction within Hamas is serious about it. But it is very difficult to imagine Hamas to be unanimous about accepting Israel's existence. For us, again, to support the struggle for Palestinian independence is to support their sovereignty over the two territories. There is no longer an agenda to eliminate Israel. It is ridiculous that we who are not in conflict with Israel refuse to acknowledge their existence, whereas the Palestinians have acknowledged it. Of course it also means that we recognize that this conflict is the conflict of both nations, namely Palestine and Israel. This is not a religious conflict, between Islam and Judaism. Nor is the conflict between Arabs and Jews. As many as 20% of Israelis are Arabs, and 16% of Israelis are Muslim.

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