Looking at this matter from an objective position, and with no axe to grind, it is clear to me that Israel have almost no reason at all to engage in meaningful talks with any Palastinian groups. US backed Israel is the dominant power in the region and well they know it. With the full weight of the US administration behind them, the Israeli government can act with near impunity whenever they feel 'the survival of the state' is at stake. They can, and continue to, dominate their neighbours and flought international law. They even call for sanctions against a non nuclear power when they themselves have an undeclared nuclear programme and 'alledgedly' even a weapons stockpile. What other country could get away with that? In my oppinion the US cannot be an honest mediator as it is way too close to Israel and will always put Israeli interests above those of any of its neighbours. Also, in my oppinion Russia does not command anything like enough power in the region to change the US approach towards Israel, therefore its talks with Hamas will amount to little more than a gesture. As with most matters these days, it is the US that could change things, however as they still regard Hamas as a terrorist group it would seem unlikely that they would ever choose to.

“The Quartet was established in Madrid in 2002 by former Spanish Prime Minister Aznar, as a result of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Tony Blair is the Quartet's current Special Envoy.” Perhaps you can enlighten your readers by telling them that Blair and Aznar are neocons; that are key members of the western leaders who declared illegal war of invasion against Iraq in 2003 that led to the deaths of a million plus Iraqis and millions, made millions more into displaced people; that both men are pro Israeli Zionism. “Hamas is ranked as a terrorist organization by several nations, including the United States, Israel and the European Union.” European union is not free but captive to U.S foreign policy and Israel is highly paid client state of the United States. Russia on the other hand is free to choose its foreign policy. These points were not made clear in your piece! why not? “Just last month, top Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, 50, was found dead inside of his room at the luxury Al Bustan Rotana hotel in Dubai in what has been described as an assassination.” Israeli agents have been killing Palestinians around the world since 1948; the only new information is that they are now they kill Palestinians inside Arab countries so easily. “To put the situation mildly, Hamas has had a tumultuous history with Israel, and vice versa.” Mr. Robert Bridge, it is so hard for you to actually admit that the relationship between Palestinians and Israelis in the occupied territories is a colonial relations? Do you think that the majority of your readers do not know this fact? Finally, we do know that those who write at Spiegel are not free to speak about the facts concerning colonial relations between Palestinians and Israelis but we do expect better analysis from Russia Today than this!

How long will the world be silent to the atrocities of the Israel warmachine- Israel had all chances for peace,but seems slowly the options run out ,as the big brother has no more money to support them for much longer -this is the situation we are now in -Israel use all means to get others (EU)to pull their wagon(and say are stupid enough) Seems Israel is planing the conflict with Iran to keep worldopinion away from the real problem -the loss of power in the Middle East ,as the monetary suppurt of the US is not sustainable. (The USA is bankrupt-the EU paied 2 month ago 400 000 000 000 in bonds ,as China is not doing it any more)It is to hope Russia and China stay at the side of the Palestinian people to achieve justice in this region.

There is a solution to the ongoing wars in the Middle East. A final war can be organized with a fight to the finish and winner take all. Leave all of the young military people out of this war. Use only the political office holders to do all of the fighting and dying {the ones who make wars}. This could put a stop to Middle East wars and other wars around the world. If the politicians have to personally do the fighting and dying, rather than ordering young military people to do the fighting and dying, they will develop a different perspective about going to war. Also, any politician who is too cowardly to accept the challenge of an adversary should be disgraced and removed from office as a traitor.

There is no real reason to talk with Hammas, since he does not recognize any sovereignty of Jews on any land. When there is no partner for peace you can't make peace - so the conflict with keep going. Hammas is committing crimes against humanity daily against his people, executions, turture, stealing UN food supplies. they are Terrorists. As Golda Meir Said, there will no peace until they (the Arabs) love their children more than they hate us

Fritz, You will find that it is the government of Israel that are now widely regarded as being the real 'terroists'. Through their seige of Gaza they knowingly starve women and children, prevent the building / rebuilding of infrastructure destroyed by the Israeli millitary, and do not discriminate between militants and civillians in the use of deadly force. They also bomb UN run schools as readily as Hamas buildings. I could go on and on and on but I think that most readers of Russia Today will have already aquainted themselves with the facts.....................

February 08, 2010, 17:36, Katrina wrote > “The Quartet was established in Madrid in 2002 by former Spanish Prime Minister Aznar, as a result of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Tony Blair is the Quartet's current Special Envoy.” > Perhaps you can enlighten your readers by telling them that Blair and Aznar are neocons; that are key members of the western leaders who declared illegal war of invasion against Iraq in 2003 that led to the deaths of a million plus Iraqis and millions, made millions more into displaced people; that both men are pro Israeli Zionism. > “Hamas is ranked as a terrorist organization by several nations, including the United States, Israel and the European Union.” > European union is not free but captive to U.S foreign policy and Israel is highly paid client state of the United States. Russia on the other hand is free to choose its foreign policy. These points were not made clear in your piece! why not? Katrina, I believe Israel is highly paid by the americans however it is not the client but the Master(via the american jewish lobby).