Because apparently having Syria sitting at the table and making demands isn't enough. US foreign policy geniuses want to bring in a second Iranian proxy and pressure Israel to meet their demands too:

Five former U.S. State Department and Pentagon officials are proposing that Hamas be a participant in final status talks between Israel and the Palestinians. In a six-page policy statement submitted to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, they also suggested a series of peace conferences following the one she hopes to convene next month, probably in Annapolis, Maryland, near Washington. Hamas, which controls Gaza and about one-third of Palestinian-held land, has not met U.S. terms for attending. Those conditions are recognizing Israel's right to exist and abandoning the path of violence. But the ex-officials suggested Hamas might be drawn to attend a second conference, which implicitly would accept the first one and Israel's existence. They called the role of Hamas the most difficult issue in peacemaking.

Brilliant idea. As long as Hamas doesn't make an explicit statement saying that they're trying to destroy Israel this week, they get to demand concessions that make it easier for them to try to destroy Israel next week. Seems reasonable and not at all like US State Department officials are willing to sacrifice Israeli security for the appearance of a temporary peace deal.

References:
* State Department Gets Bright Idea: Let's Screw Israel Even More By Bundling Syria Into The Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
* U.S. policy paper calls for Hamas to be a participant in final status talks [Ha'aretz]

Previously:
* Abbas Is Lying Either To Israel or To the Palestinians - Either Way, It Makes a Peace Deal Impossible
* Giving Land To Fatah Is Giving Land To Hamas - Ramp Up To November Edition
* Mere Rhetoric Evaluates Palestinian Opinion Poll, Walks Away Unsurprised

Cross-posted to:
* Israpundit