And the thing about him is that Haniyeh genuinely looks like a jolly chubby man, I feel sorry for him in this picture. He's like the kid that's being led around by the snake in this picture.
CS,
I am becoming increasingly worried about the political posturing of Hamas. Haniyyah is being praised as a "moderate." He increasingly reminds of Arafat and his shenanigans. It looks like all the pressures on Hamas (financial, political, military attacks, kidnappings of political leaders and now organized strikes) are finally paying off. It seems that Hamas is being co-opted, which is surprising in the aftermath of Hizbullah's performance. But again, it should not be surprising. In the days of Arafat, after every Palestinian steadfastness and sacrifice, he (Arafat) went chasing the mirage of a political settlement. It appears that Hamas is doing the same.
Tony, can you name some examples of how Hamas has backed off from its original objectives?
CS,
The most fundamental change on the part of Hamas was the decision to participate in the last legislative council elections and to become a partner in the so-called Palestinian Authority. For many years before, Hamas ruled out such participation since Hamas, correctly, considered the PA and the elections as by-products of the Oslo agreement, which Hamas rejected. So, now Hamas finds itself having to compromise with the very same people who signed the Oslo agreement and who for over a dozen years have been leading the Palestinians from one concession to the next.
Now, Hamas has to spend its energy in running the schools, hospitals, etc and paying salaries and cleaning the garbage instead of concentrating on liberation and resistance. Hamas doesn't have the resources to do both. One of the goals in forming this "unity" government is to get Hamas to recognize Israel, without saying so. Hamas will be hiding behind this "national unity" in defending the decision. It is all so Arafat-like.
Thanks, Tony.
They were better at providing services when they weren't a part of the PA.
Very true , hamas was providing services when they were outside the political scene because the arab money was still flowing (a little of it ) and charities were not closed down by the IDF . now the US , Eu , the arab So called brothers , the charities ,e verything is closed ! Shame the arabs have abandonned the palestinains . Iloathe the Arab leaders .
Commenting by HaloScan
