The European Union should start a dialogue with Hamas immediately and without any preconditions. Talking to Hamas now would undoubtedly serve Europe's vital interests in the Muslim world and positively affect the quest for peace in the Middle East.
It is no secret that the 2003 EU decision to place Hamas, including its more rational political wing, on its list of "terrorist groups" was more a result of American bullying and less an expression of an objective European analysis of the Palestinian resistance group.
It is generally true that Hamas operations inside Israel played a part in the EU decision. However, this in no way made the decision fair and balanced, as it utterly ignored the context in which Hamas attacks took place.
Indeed, Hamas operations, particularly the so-called suicide-bomb attacks, were, almost always, retaliations for deadlier Israeli atrocities targeting Palestinian civilians, including children and women.
In fact, the Israeli state terror against defenseless Palestinians exceeded by a hundred fold anything that was done by Hamas and other Palestinian resistance groups. The Europeans should be sufficiently aware of this clarion fact.
Hence, it is grossly unfair that Hamas be punished for attacks, however objectionable and questionable they may be, against the occupier of their country and tormentor of their people, while the Israelis are effectively rewarded for their far more pornographic crimes against the Palestinians.
In any case, it seems that the "martyrdom operations" are now behind us as Hamas has decided to contest the upcoming Palestinian legislative elections.
There are many other indications that Hamas is going mainstream with its principled decision to join the PLO and take an active part in Palestinian nation building.
Moreover, Hamas is edging towards more political pragmatism vis-a-vis Israel, as some of its more influential leaders signal a certain willingness to negotiate with the Zionist state if the latter agrees to pull out of the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967 and allow the creation of a truly viable Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip
and East Beit-ul-moqaddas.
Under the circumstances, it is important that the EU initiate a serious and honest dialogue with Hamas. Such a dialogue would obviously not be a European 'favor' to the popular Islamic group that already musters the loyalty and support of large segments of the Palestinian people and enjoys the sympathy of tens of millions of Muslims around the world.
In fact, a European move toward Hamas at this juncture would serve European interest, especially in the long run, as the West's attitudes and policies toward the Palestinian plight play an important role in determining the Islamic peoples' perceptions toward the West.
This equation will be asserted further as more Muslim and Arab peoples are edging toward representative democracy, away from their authoritarian and dynastic rulers who normally value legitimacy that comes from foreign capitals more than that the home front.
Add to that the fact that a positive EU approach toward Hamas would most likely encourage the latter to choose the path of moderation. Narrowing Hamas's horizons would only further radicalize the popular movement.
It is imperative for Europe to realize that Hamas and other Islamic liberation movements in the Middle East are no longer fringe groups that can be ignored or sidelined. The reality is that these movements now represent popular currents throughout the Arab world, from Bahrain to Casablanca.
It may be safe to say that sooner or later Europe and the US will have to deal with Islamist governments in much of the Middle East.
If so, it is vital that the EU open a workable channel of communication with them, one that is free from traditional condescending European attitudes toward Arab and Muslim peoples.
It is also vital that EU experts on Islam understand that the bulk of contemporary Islamic movements, including the Muslim Brotherhood, with which Hamas is affiliated, are essentially moderate movements that generally accept democratic values
and would smoothly go along with western rationality.
Interestingly enough, the Americans are aware of where the winds of change are blowing in the Middle East, and moving towards communication channels with Arab Islamic movements such as Hizbullah and Hamas.
The meeting in Beirut earlier in April between officials from the Rand Foundation, the famous conservative think-tank with thick ties to conservatives in the Republican party, and representatives of Hamas and Hizbullah, was very significant, not so much for its outcome, but actually for what it signified.
And it did signify that the Bush team is becoming aware of the fact that these Islamic movements will play an influential role in shaping the form and substance of the future Middle East, even the one desired and contemplated by the United States.
The US and Europe have for long supported and financed corrupt and repressive regimes in the Middle East that denied their people basic civil and human rights, including the universal right of freely electing their rulers.
In retrospect, it is manifestly clear that these polices were blind and stupid, as they served as an incubator for extremist ideologies and violence in relating to the West.
It is hoped the Europeans learn from the lessons of the past and start relating to Islamic movements in Palestine and elsewhere in a more constructive manner.