ABSTRACT
Reaching for peace when peace itself becomes a source of conflict not only means that its prospects are poor, it also means that peace risks turning into a weapon of war. When the Palestinian Hamas frankly admits that it makes peace with Israel “to tell all the world that Israel does not want peace,”1 it merely aims to point out that Israel in turn uses agreements to its own ends. When asked what would make them recognize Israel, Hamas members emphasize that doing so would imply the movement ceases to exist. When asked what would happen to Hamas if Palestine was liberated, interviewees paused. Clearly, the organization gains its strength by capitalizing on a unifying enemy picture. Israelis are demonized to serve the cause of liberation by all means.2 Even when asked whether Hamas would compromise its violent means if not its goals, the answer is straight: “You can say violence. I can say resistance.”3
