PALESTINE

MARCELA GAVIRIA, PBS Frontline/World Producer, May 10, 2006
CZIKOWSKY: Do you find any hint within the members of Hamas that there should be some consideration for some type of negotiated agreement with Israel? I wonder the degree to which the sentiment of belief that Israel should be destroyed is coupled with a sense of realization and humanity that perhaps there are other alternatives to armed struggle and destruction.
GAVIRIA: Well right now they talk about a “hudna” which is essentially a long term truce.. That is as far as they are going in terms of a negotiated settlement. They don’t like the language of a two state solution, they want to find another formula. But they already talk about accepting the 67 borders as their basis for negotiation. I asked several ordinary Palestinians why they don’t see more civil disobedience vs. terrorist tactics. They said they tried non-violence in the past and lost too many civilians as a result.

GLENN KESSLER, Washington Post Diplomatic Correspondent, June 15, 2007
CZIKOWSKY: Is there any local discussion on how all this (recent violence) might impact future elections in the Gaza Strip? How well are people accepting of elections when such violence emerges amongst the political factions?
KESSLER: Some experts have expressed fear that Islamic groups would only compete in elections until they won—and then not allow any more elections. Certainly, if new elections were held, no Fattah candidate could safely campaign in Gaza.