The Islamic Palestinian group Hamas is essential within the peace process, School of International Service Professor Robert Pastor said on Tuesday afternoon at AU.
AU and Washington College of Law students met with Pastor during the event - "Hamas and the Future of Peace in the Middle East."
Pastor, who is also a senior advisor to the Carter Center on the Middle East, has met with leaders from all sides of the conflict - including Hamas officials last December - in an effort to encourage the possibility of peace.
"I know you don't usually hear peace and Hamas in the same breath, but my experience has lead me to believe that unless and until a path is found to bringing Hamas into the peace process there will not be peace in the Middle East," he said.
Pastor reviewed recent events in the Middle East and stressed the need to understand all sides of the conflict.
"You have to think in terms of five interlocking conflicts: Palestinian divisions, Israel and Palestine, Israel and Syria, Syria, Lebanon and Israel and finally Iran," he said.
Pastor said setting up a foundation for a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as well as with Israel and Palestine is essential.
"If you don't get here, the prospect of falling backward is probable," he said. "The alternative is a recipe for continued and chronic disaster in Israel."
This situation is extremely difficult and cannot be resolved easily, Pastor said.
"[The situation is] a complicated political phenomenon ... which is not just a question of eliminating one group," he said. "This is a serious challenge that is long and coming."
Over the last decade, Hamas has moved to a point where it in effect accepts a two state solution with Israel, according to Pastor.
"Hamas is ready on its side but the question is if Israel and others are," he said.
Alex Sepulveda, a second-year WCL student, said he thinks securing international peace is possible.
"I hope the new Israeli government will make some concessions toward peace," he said. "The conflict has gone on for so long that I think both sides are coming along to peace."
Throughout the discussion, Pastor praised Obama's choice of George Mitchell as a special envoy to the Middle East.
"He is prepared to adopt really controversial positions and thinks it is essential to have Syria and Hamas involved in the negotiating process," Pastor said.
Sepulveda praised the Obama administration's efforts.
"I think the new Obama administration will foster a greater forum for discussion," he said. "So far I am encouraged by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's words on the subject."
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