Sorry Kevin, but you just cannot equate the two (Israeli Government and Hamas, et al).

The Palestinian terrorist groups are not the elected representatives of the Palestinian people, they are self appointed guardians of what they perceive to be the best interests of the Palestinian people (that normally coincides with what happens to be in their best financial interest as well - if you doubt that take a look at Arafats bank balance)

The Palestinian terrorist groups almost invariably mount totally indescriminate attacks specifically aimed at Israeli civilians - they very rarely take on the IDF, for good cause, any time they have they have come off decidedly second best.

The Israeli Government is the democratically elected representatives of the people of the state of Israel, and as such have a sworn duty to protect the citizens of that state.

Throughout the term of the current Intifada the Israeli Government has always been prepared to talk - on the sole condition that terrorist attacks stop.

The Palestinian Terrorist Groups on the other hand have never come out with a similar statement. They are consistant in their demands and in their ultimate goal - the destruction of the state of Israel - And that is not going to happen. For any progress to be made it is this side of the conflict that must move first.