Can Hamas Resist Biting the Frog of Public Sympathy?

Things are Getting a Lot Worse

I have an old saying that things have to get worse, sometimes a lot worse, before they can get better. The latest news is an example of things getting worse (In Gaza, at Least 16 Die at U.N. School Used as Civilian Shelter) , but worse for whom?  I would argue that things are getting worse for Israel.  If your focus is on the military, then of course, as the conflict continues it will show how superior the Israeli military is.  But, that is not what this battle is about is it?  Hamas wants support for its cause.  

World-wide Public Sympathy is with the Palestinians and Even Hamas

And, Hamas is getting support for its cause, on the West Bank where children aspire to be Hamas fighters(1), by French Pro-Palestinian Protesters(2), in Turkey and Qatar  where they send money to Hamas(3), and across Europe (4), and in Chicago (5).

The Ball is in  Hamas's Court

Ok, Hamas has the ball.  There is an old story about a spider asking a frog to give him a ride across the river while assuring the frog he will not bite him because both of them would die. The frog agrees, but half way across the stream, the spider bites the frog.  The frog asks why, and the spider says because I am a spider and that is what I do.

Can Hamas stop being a spider? Hamas needs to make one simple statement to make it a legitimate voice of the Palestinians. It could be said in several ways:

1. Hamas recognizes the right of Israel to exist, or 
2. Hamas seeks to be full and equal partners with Israel in negotiating a lasting, peaceful relationship.

Of course, this is not Hamas's style. They would rather die, they die well. They have already accomplished their mission in Gaza -- can they some how keep from biting the frog of public sympathy(6)?

Links

1.  (In the West Bank Hamas Hailed for the Fight Against Israel),  
2. (“Gas the Jews”: Supporters of Hamas run riot in French city, smash Jewish shops),
3. (Turkey 'has Replaced Iran as Hamas's Sponsor', Israel singles out Qatar as key Hamas terror sponsor),
4. (Anti-Israel Protests Make the Case for Israel: As protestors’ rhetoric heats up across Europe, many Jews feel safer in Israel).  

5. Chicago Hamas Supporters Protest Israel’s Gaza Strip War By The Thousands

6. What’s Wrong With Being Reasonable About the Middle East?