Today, there was a short debate about the possible vote for a Palestinian State in the United Nations. I made the point, that whilst Israel supported the establishment for a Palestinian State through negotiation, it was difficult to negotiate with a partner (Hamas), that is part terrorist, refuses to recognise Israel, and fires missiles onto Israeli Towns, to cause maximum damage to civilians.
My question is below:
Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Does my hon. Friend acknowledge that when Netanyahu visited the United States in May 2011 he said that he wanted to negotiate with the Palestinians and that Israel would not be the last country to welcome a Palestinian state? However, does he not also agree that it is difficult to negotiate with the Palestinian Authority when its main partner is Hamas, which refuses to recognise Israel or renounce terrorism and continues to fire missiles on Israeli towns?
Alistair Burt: Our position on Hamas is well known and we have no contact with it. However, as we know, there are difficulties on all sides, and each side has reasons why it has not wanted to proceed to negotiations or why it might rebuff others. Equally, each side knows that if it really wants a settlement, it is in its power to try to overcome those difficulties, seek confidence and assurances from each other and move on. What is different now—this may come through next week—is the urgency of the situation, as conveyed by the whole international community. We need to make progress and that requires all sides to be prepared to take the steps to help that happen, difficult though they may be.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
You're right, Rob, you can't. You also can't negotiate with a knife carrying burglar and his mate who've just forced their way into your home just as your wife and child arrive.
ReplyDeleteYet that appears to be what the police expected Vincent Cooke to do when he was in that terrifying situation. As Mr Cooke's wife and son arrived, Mr Cooke is said to have shouted to them, "Get out, get out!" before struggling with the robbers and stabbing one burglar 6 times in his arm and leg. The burglar is said to have bled to death from a leg wound.
Any reasonable person would attempt to protect their family and themselves by lashing out against armed robbers with anything that came to hand, a knife preferably. I would do so.
So why, when innocent people defend themselves by fighting back against criminals who threaten them with weapons, does it invariably seem to end up with the victim being treated like a criminal and the criminals treated as the victims?