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Listener Allen Palmer suggests I ask the big question about including Hamas in any future negotiations with Israel - can you really negotiate with someone who is calling for your destruction?

This follows the interview we did with the former diplomat Alistair Crook, who advises groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. He said no progress could be made without Hamas. He compared Hamas to the ANC in South Africa - "Nelson Mandela was head of the armed wing, dedicated to violence," he said.

I pointed out that the two organisation might be judged to be quantitatively different - by which I meant that ANC was not known for suicide bombings and deliberately targeting civilians. He responded that Hamas had kept to a ceasefire, which is of course hotly debated in Israel.

So that's the background to Allen's reasonable email:

Dear Mr. Damon, I would respectfully like to request that the next time you interview someone who is in favor of including Hamas in future Middle East peace negotiations that you ask about Hamas charter seeking the destruction of Israel and their fixed position of not accepting Israels right to exist. While activities such as suspending suicide bombings and offering ongoing truces are very valuable, the more basic questions pertaining to Hamas core stance is a key issue to raise with your interviewees.

Thank you for considering this point.

Sincerely yours, Allen Palmer, M.D. Newton Highlands, MA, USA

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