The Nation's Robert Dreyfuss: Israel Revives Hamas

[flpoljunkie]

Israel Revives Hamas
by Robert Dreyfuss

As Israel presses its bloody assault on Gaza, dropping broad hints that it is planning a ground attack to complement four days of bombings that have killed hundreds, it's clear that Israel's actions are likely to bolster, not weaken, the very enemy it is fighting.

Writing in the Washington Post, Palestinian journalist Daoud Kuttab points out that, before the latest crisis, Hamas was in sharp decline. The headline on his thoughtful piece is: "Has Israel Revived Hamas?" He says: "Israel appears to have given new life to the fledging Islamic movement in Palestine."

Over the past two years, Kuttab notes, Palestinian support for Hamas -- an ultrareligious, terrorist-inclined wing of the fanatical Muslim Brotherhood movement -- has declined sharply, from a 30 percent in 2006 to 22 percent in August, 2007, to just 17 percent in 2008 -- compared to 40 percent for Fatah, the mainstream, secular nationalist wing of the Palestinian body politic. Kuttab points out that Hamas has "turned down every legitimate offer from its nationalist PLO rivals and Egyptian mediators." Now, he says, the attacks are a "bonanza for Hamas" and says that Israel's assault will achieve "results exactly the opposite of its publicly proclaimed purposes."

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, and reflecting the views of Israel security hawks such as Bibi Netanyahu, Bret Stephens says that the Israeli campaign -- like the campaign in Lebanon that killed thousands in 2006, in the disastrous war against Hezhollah -- will not defeat Hamas. "The green flag of the movement will fly defiantly over the tallest building left standing," says Stephens. Unless, that is, the Israelis learn from Lebanon, 2006, and act decisively to crush Hamas once and for all. Problem is, that's an impossible task. Far more likely, Israel will end up radicalizing the Palestinians once again, weakening Fatah and strengthening Hamas. And that makes peace talks, and a settlement, less likely.

more...

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/dreyfuss/392461/print

[Forkboy]

1. They've never understood this before, and I see no reason to expect them to start now.

Both sides can't see past tomorrow when they attack the other side. Dumbasses, the lot of 'em.

[The Magistrate]

2. The Actions Of Both Sides Here, My Friend, Fail The Fundamental Test For Violence

The first question anyone contemplating a violent course must ask and answer, with ruthless honesty and calculation, is whether or not the goal desired can actually be obtained by the course of violence contemplated.

Neither side's stated goals can be obtained by the violence being pressed. Hamas cannot, by use of the capacity for violence at its disposal, force any alteration of Israeli policy it might desire, let alone destroy the Israeli state and restore Jerusalem and the rest to Moslem rule. Israel cannot, by use of the capacity for violence at its disposal, compel an end to violence against Israeli citizens emanating from militant bodies of Arab Palestinians, let alone secure a widespread peaceable acceptance of Israel among that people.

The actual, measurable results of each side's employment of violence, in fact, run counter to the stated goals of each. The employment of violence by Hamas only serves to bring cataclysmic harm to the people of Arab Palestine, and weaken it even further in contest with Israel. The employment of violence by Israel only serves to increase bitterness and hostility towards Israel among the people of Arab Palestine, and root these things ever deeper into their society.

[Forkboy]

3. As always, you put it far more eloquently than I.

Why this is so hard for either side to see continually amazes me. I genuinely believe that neither side's leadership desires peace at all. Both sides would have to admit they use the other as a boogeyman to justify their own actions. And I think it's safe to say such an admission will never happen.

[Hippo_Tron]

6. Exactly, Likud and Hamas don't desire peace

Because they are political parties that thrive in times of crisis. If you have no peace then you have a constant war and therefore a constant crisis. So long as Israel and Palestine never settle their differences, the political climate will continue to be wonderful for both Likud and Hamas. Which is why they aren't in any rush to settle their differences.

[Cronopio]

8. Agreed. Hamas is to Israel what al Qaeda is to the Bush administration.

Fascists will create a political nemesis if there isn't one. Things were getting a bit too peaceful for the likes of Olmert.

[LeftishBrit]

7. Great post! Fully agree.

[Spectral Music]

10. I thought Israel related topics were not allowed in GD

I see that you are a moderator, so I thought I'd ask.

[Zomby Woof]

4. IBTLASRTTIPF

In Before The Lock And Subsequent Relocation To The I/P Forum.



:hide:

[redstate_democrat]

5. I just saw a so-called "Hamas leader" call out PE Obama on Larry King

Said something about double standards...

[gulliver]

9. Absent U.S. help, these people will never work this out.

All Hamas has to do is fire some rockets at Israel and Israel's "I'm so tough" idiot leaders will fly off the handle--exactly as Hamas wants. And a bunch of Israel's "I'm so angry" populace will approve--just as Hamas wants. Then Israel douses itself with lighter fluid and pulls out a cigarette. "This'll show 'em how tough we are! Hey, George Bush, throw some of this lighter fluid on America too! Got a light?"

This is all the result of Bush's do-nothing policies. If you are looking for a great terrorism recipe against the United States, you could hardly do better than Bush has done. Trigger happy, go-it-alone Israel. Aggrieved, deprived Palestinian populace full of a lot of anger and some crazies. Stupid president of the United States. Mix well. Stand back and watch the cluster-f***.

You watch. I'll bet Bin Laden comes out with a pro-Gaza video soon. Thank God Dimwit is heading for Houston.