That is not correct, Michael. The Israeli regime has declared that it will not negotiate with Hamas until Hamas declares that Israel has a right to exist and stops firing rockets. The Israeli regime knows full well that those conditions will not be met. And, even if they were met, it's a good bet that Israel would find another way of not negotiating. And, even if the two sides ever sit down, Israel need not make a single concession. They have the full unconditional backing of the US, including the bankrolling of their military, no matter how many children or old people they bomb to hell or how much land they steal or how many resolutions they ignore.

The Israeli people are the only ones with the answer. They have to realise that they keep on electing regimes that can only perpetuate the insecurity which they endure. I think Hamas is wrong to fail to recognise Israel, but that is a red herring. Hamas also has to answer to its people and the wider middle east beyond. The non-recognition of Israel has to quietly slide away, as empty, nonsensical rhetoric often has a habit of doing (ask Ian Paisley). No-one has to capitulate. Waiting for someone to capitulate just gets more people killed.

In the meantime, Israeli regime apologists, consider what's going on with ordinary people in Gaza every day. Or turn the telly off. Your choice.