Publication

The tide of upheaval that began sweeping through the Arab world in early 2011 presented Hamas with both the greatest opportunities and the greatest challenges it had faced since its founding nearly a quarter century ago. With both the region and Hamas at a strategic crossroad, the minimum the US and EU should do in exchange for commitments by the Islamist movement – a genuine ceasefire in Gaza, contributing to stabilizing Sinai, giving Abbas a “mandate” to negotiate with Israel and agreeing to abide by the results of a popular referendum – is to make clear they will deal with a unity government whose platform and actions are in harmony with these principles.