Eleven prominent Israeli authors and intellectuals elite have issued a public call to the government to start direct negotiations with Hamas. The statement was published Monday in several Israeli newspapers. It urges Israeli PM Ehud Olmert to “make every possible effort” to reach a diplomatic agreement with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and to start negotiations with Hamas for a ceasefire.
"We believe an opportunity to promote the peace process ahead of the international conference in November has been created,” the statement says. “We urge the prime minister to make the greatest effort to reach substantial agreements with the PLO head and not miss this opportunity.
"The continued Qassam attacks from the Gaza Strip are intolerable. In the past Israel has negotiated with its worst enemies. And now, the correct course of action is to negotiate with Hamas in an effort to foment a general cease fire that will prevent further suffering on both sides.
"These talks must include an attempt to reach a complete ceasefire, without preconditions. An end to the mutual attacks would give the residents of the western Negev a sense of security, would spare the Gaza vicinity residents any further suffering, and would increase the political process' chances of succeeding."
