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Does this mean that the presence of a representative from the Israeli Foreign Ministry in the same place as parliamentarians from Hamas does not indicate recognition of Hamas, while a minister's participation in the event would translate into recognition of the movement?
Perhaps Israel should declare a boycott of Qatar, the only Arab state that is willing to maintain friendly relations with it and to permit an Israeli representation to operate in Doha, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties? Or perhaps the conference should be boycotted because it includes representatives from, among others, Iran, Syria and Lebanon?
A significant lack of insight characterizes Livni's decision. She was not being asked to speak with the Hamas members or to shake their hands. Furthermore, Qatar was the target of great pressure and criticism for having invited her.
The Lebanese foreign minister, among others, decided not to attend the conference, but Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani, was not deterred - just as he has not been deterred from meeting Israeli officials in New York and other locations, and just as he did not refrain from an attempt to mediate the conflict with the Palestinians despite the low chance of success. By inviting Israel - with the agreement of Qatar's leader - the foreign minister sought to reach an additional stage in Israel's legitimization that would have tested the other Arab and Islamic states that are participating in the event.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/781001.html