Hamas on the Campaign Trail
"They have said, 'Come, let us eradicate them as a nation,
and the name of Israel will be remembered no more'"
Psalm 83, v. 5
This could be the motto of Hamas, the terrorist group that is now seeking representation in the Palestine Parliament to be elected January 25, 2006. The group, whose name means Islamic Resistance Movement, was founded in 1987 when it sparked the first Intifada. Hamas has killed thousands of Israelis, mainly through suicide bombings. Despite having agreed to a ceasefire, Hamas members fire rockets at Israel from Gaza almost daily.
Although Hamas is not expected to win a majority in the Parliament, any substantial share of the seats in Hamas hands will be a big negative factor on the prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestine Authority (PA), which is set to evolve into an independent state. This is because Hamas rejects any peace with the Jewish state.
If Hamas makes a strong showing in the elections, PA President Mahmoud Abbas may need the support of the group to establish a governing coalition, which will mean Hamas members in the cabinet, perhaps heading major departments. This would make it difficult, if not impossible, for Abbas to make any agreements with Israel. Still worse, Hamas leaders who gain stature and visibility through participation in the government could emerge as serious contenders for the next presidency of the PA.
Both Israel and the United States have tried to persuade Abbas not to allow Hamas to participate in the coming elections, to no avail. The "Road Map" to a Palestinian State even calls for the PA to "dismantle" terrorist organizations, such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah. Abbas first agreed to the Road Map, then said he could not dismantle these groups. If Hamas plays a significant role in the next Parliament, this obligation of the PA will become moot, and the Road Map will lead to a dead-end.
President George W Bush has taken the position that democracy is good for peace in the Middle East. It certainly has reduced tensions in Europe since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. The trouble is that among Arab masses, especially Palestinians, belligerency toward Israel is so popular that democracy may give power to the most implacable enemies of peace.
Those given to wishful thinking believe that the responsibilities of governance tend to make radical groups more moderate in their goals and methods. Unfortunately, the historical record does not support this belief. The Nazi Party and Khmer Rouge, for example, became even more brutal after taking power in Germany and Cambodia, respectivley. The Muslim fanatics who rule Iran today are at least as belligerent as those who seized power in 1979.
The prospect of a Palestine Authority ruled by Hamas within the next few years is a serious danger to Israel, even though an attack on Israel by the PA would be suicidal. Remember that Hamas and its terrorist allies have already sponsored numerous suicidal attacks, and they do not shrink from martyrdom. The settlements east of Israel's Security Fence would be especially vulnerable. If Israel is forced to crush the PA in a bloody battle, Israel will be condemned by the UN, Europe, and all Muslim countries. It will become even more of a pariah state than it is now. If that happens, the Rabin/Barak/Sharon policy of ceding land and power to the Palestinians would be exposed as totally bankrupt and worthless.
A Palestine ruled by Hamas would be even a greater threat to Jordan than to Israel, given the big Palestinian population in the Hashemite Kingdom. Jordan has already been attacked by the Al Qaeda faction led by Musab Al-Zarqawi, whose ideology is shared by Hamas. Worse yet, the Palestinian Christian communities, such as in Bethlehem, would have no security under Hamas rule. I expect most Christians would try to emigrate, either to Jordan or Lebanon, since Israel would not admit them.
The rise to power by Hamas should be dreaded by all who seek peace in the Middle East.
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and the name of Israel will be remembered no more'"
Psalm 83, v. 5
This could be the motto of Hamas, the terrorist group that is now seeking representation in the Palestine Parliament to be elected January 25, 2006. The group, whose name means Islamic Resistance Movement, was founded in 1987 when it sparked the first Intifada. Hamas has killed thousands of Israelis, mainly through suicide bombings. Despite having agreed to a ceasefire, Hamas members fire rockets at Israel from Gaza almost daily.
Although Hamas is not expected to win a majority in the Parliament, any substantial share of the seats in Hamas hands will be a big negative factor on the prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestine Authority (PA), which is set to evolve into an independent state. This is because Hamas rejects any peace with the Jewish state.
If Hamas makes a strong showing in the elections, PA President Mahmoud Abbas may need the support of the group to establish a governing coalition, which will mean Hamas members in the cabinet, perhaps heading major departments. This would make it difficult, if not impossible, for Abbas to make any agreements with Israel. Still worse, Hamas leaders who gain stature and visibility through participation in the government could emerge as serious contenders for the next presidency of the PA.
Both Israel and the United States have tried to persuade Abbas not to allow Hamas to participate in the coming elections, to no avail. The "Road Map" to a Palestinian State even calls for the PA to "dismantle" terrorist organizations, such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah. Abbas first agreed to the Road Map, then said he could not dismantle these groups. If Hamas plays a significant role in the next Parliament, this obligation of the PA will become moot, and the Road Map will lead to a dead-end.
President George W Bush has taken the position that democracy is good for peace in the Middle East. It certainly has reduced tensions in Europe since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. The trouble is that among Arab masses, especially Palestinians, belligerency toward Israel is so popular that democracy may give power to the most implacable enemies of peace.
Those given to wishful thinking believe that the responsibilities of governance tend to make radical groups more moderate in their goals and methods. Unfortunately, the historical record does not support this belief. The Nazi Party and Khmer Rouge, for example, became even more brutal after taking power in Germany and Cambodia, respectivley. The Muslim fanatics who rule Iran today are at least as belligerent as those who seized power in 1979.
The prospect of a Palestine Authority ruled by Hamas within the next few years is a serious danger to Israel, even though an attack on Israel by the PA would be suicidal. Remember that Hamas and its terrorist allies have already sponsored numerous suicidal attacks, and they do not shrink from martyrdom. The settlements east of Israel's Security Fence would be especially vulnerable. If Israel is forced to crush the PA in a bloody battle, Israel will be condemned by the UN, Europe, and all Muslim countries. It will become even more of a pariah state than it is now. If that happens, the Rabin/Barak/Sharon policy of ceding land and power to the Palestinians would be exposed as totally bankrupt and worthless.
A Palestine ruled by Hamas would be even a greater threat to Jordan than to Israel, given the big Palestinian population in the Hashemite Kingdom. Jordan has already been attacked by the Al Qaeda faction led by Musab Al-Zarqawi, whose ideology is shared by Hamas. Worse yet, the Palestinian Christian communities, such as in Bethlehem, would have no security under Hamas rule. I expect most Christians would try to emigrate, either to Jordan or Lebanon, since Israel would not admit them.
The rise to power by Hamas should be dreaded by all who seek peace in the Middle East.
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posted by Gerald S Glazer at 1:56 PM
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