In Leonard Fein’s December 4 column, “It’s Time for Dialogue With Hamas,” he compares the PLO with Hamas. But, while the PLO is a secular organization motivated by nationalism, Hamas, an extreme fundamentalist group, is motivated by religion.

Fein should read the prologue of Hamas’ founding charter. It states that Hamas’ aim is a war — not against Israel or Zionism but against the Jewish people at large, since the Jews, and not merely Israel and Zionism, are the enemies of Islam.

According to Hamas, the Jews are responsible for all the ills of modern society — the French revolution; the Communist revolution; the establishment of secret associations designed to help them gain control of the world by secret means. They control the economy, press and television; they are responsible for the outbreak of World War I and World War II. They use both capitalism and communism as their agents.

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Following the reconciliation discussions between Hamas and the PLO, Hamas leader and founder, Dr. Mahmood al-Zahar, said: “Our program does not include negotiations with Israel or recognizing it.” This is the same person who recently said: “Palestine means Palestine in its entirety — from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River. We cannot give up a single inch of it. Therefore, we will not recognize the Israeli enemy’s right to a single inch.” I hope Fein succeeds to start the dialogue, but I am afraid it will be fruitless.

Jacob Amir
Jerusalem

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