2006年VOA标准英语-Hamas to Consider Two-State Solution with

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
07 April 2006

The Islamic militant¹ group Hamas, which took control of the Palestinian Authority last week, says it is prepared to soften² its position toward Israel. Israel is skeptical³. 
 

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh from Hamas, center, is crowded by supporters following Friday prayers in the Khan Younis refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip  
  
Hamas officials say they are prepared to consider a two-state solution with Israel. That appears to be a major about-face for a group whose charter calls for the destruction of the Jewish state. The two-state platform will be presented to the Hamas-led Palestinian Cabinet on Monday, and officials say they expect it to be approved.

Hamas officials admit that they are responding to international sanctions which have left the new government broke. The European Union announced Friday that it has cut off direct aid payments to the Palestinian Authority because Hamas refuses to renounce⁴ violence and recognize Israel. The United States has already suspended aid, and including European donations, that amounts to nearly $1 billion a year in lost funding to the Palestinians.

Palestinian analyst⁵ Wadia Abu Nasser says Hamas is coming to realize that running an underground guerrilla group is different that running a government.

"I believe that Hamas will have, sooner or later, to recognize Israel," said Nasser.

Hamas did not spell out what kind of two-state solution it envisions, but it is likely to be much different than what Israel believes it can live with. Israeli spokesman Mark Regev describes the latest Hamas gestures as "verbal gymnastics."

"Hamas will not be considered a legitimate⁶ partner for any sort of dialogue, if they; one, don't recognize Israel; two, don't renounce terrorism; and three, don't accept the peace process," he said.

So far, those international demands have been rejected by Hamas. Israeli officials say the offer of a two-state solution is a ploy⁷ to divert international pressure and restore the flow of aid to the Palestinian Authority.

1 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

2 soften   

v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和

参考例句：

• Plastics will soften when exposed to heat.塑料适当加热就可以软化。
• This special cream will help to soften up our skin.这种特殊的护肤霜有助于使皮肤变得柔软。

3 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

4 renounce   

v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系

参考例句：

• She decided to renounce the world and enter a convent.她决定弃绝尘世去当修女。
• It was painful for him to renounce his son.宣布与儿子脱离关系对他来说是很痛苦的。

5 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

6 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

7 ploy   

n.花招，手段

参考例句：

• I think this is just a government ploy to deceive the public.我认为这只是政府欺骗公众的手段。
• Christmas should be a time of excitement and wonder,not a cynical marketing ploy.圣诞节应该是兴奋和美妙的时刻，而不该是一种肆无忌惮的营销策略。