Half full or half empty?

Hamas has said it's prepared to recognize Israel. I'm inclined to look at the glass as half full in this instance, even though there is clearly a long way to go before Israel and Hamas can actually reach an agreement. It's just enough of a change in tone to suggest there's a possibility of progress.

The Palestinian prime minister-designate says Hamas is ready to recognise Israel if it gives the Palestinian people their full rights and a state in lands occupied since 1967, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Hamas chose Ismail Haniya, a 43-year-old Gazan viewed by many Palestinians as a pragmatist, as the new prime minister after sweeping elections on 25 January. The group hopes to complete forming a Palestinian government within two weeks.

"If Israel declares that it will give the Palestinian people a state and give them back all their rights, then we are ready to recognise them," Haniya told the Washington Post in an interview posted on its website on Saturday.