Hamas Cleared for Palestinian Government
By Michael Rand
(www.IsraelForum.com) -- Under intense pressure from the State Department, Israel announced a reversal in its policy regarding the upcoming Palestinian elections. Until now, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon promised that Israel would block Hamas candidates from running in the Palestinian’s January elections. Now, however, Israel will allow the elections to proceed without interference.
Tzipi Livni, Israel’s Justice Minister and spokesperson for the Sharon government, said on Israel Radio that Israel would not try to hamper the January 25th election even if Hamas ran for office.
In the past week, the United States decided to publicly back the Palestinian position, which is to allow Hamas candidates to run for leadership of the next Palestinian government. The apparent reasoning is that the paramount American interest is in bringing democracy to Arab countries, even if terrorist groups like Hamas are among the chief beneficiaries of the democratic process.
With considerable popularity among the Palestinian population, Hamas is certain to capture many – if not most – of the leadership positions at stake in the elections. There is even a good chance that the Hamas could win the presidency and prime-ministry of the Palestinian Parliament.
Jihad Against America? No Problem
Hamas is currently on the United Sates’ list of terrorist organizations, and has recently issued threats against the United States, among them calls for Jihad against American troops in Iraq. Hamas is also responsible for the slaughter of American citizens in dozens of suicide bombing attacks.
The radical Islamic organization enjoys financial support from the same elements in Saudi Arabia who are tied to al Qaeda, and has ties to Iran and Hizbullah.
While comparable to the United States allowing Osama bin Ladin to run for office in Canada, the State Department is insistent that Israel must allow Hamas candidates to ascend to power in the imminent Palestinian elections.
"Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization, responsible for countless acts of senseless violence and murder against Israeli civilians. And as long as they are a terrorist organization, armed to the teeth, they are not a legitimate political partner," said Mark Regev, spokesman at the Israeli embassy in Washington in a radio interview.
Step One Democracy, Step Two Theocracy
On the other hand, the Palestinians were successful in whitewashing the Hamas candidacy as what they claim is part of a democratic process. "The way to one authority, the way to one gun, the way to public order has to go through the road of elections," Palestinian spokesman, Saeb Erekat stated.
But Hamas itself denounces democracy as being contrary to its declared goal of instituting a Muslim theocracy which is based on waging a terrorist war of Jihad against Israelis and other non-Muslims. Still, the organization understands that its best chance of ascending to power is through the American-sanctioned elections. Once in power, the organization will ruthlessly implement its Islamic rule, armed with more weaponry and legitimacy then ever before.
In fact, it is conceivable that governments worldwide will soon be rolling out the red carpet for Hamas leaders who will be placed at the helm of the Palestinian government. Hamas has gained enormous popularity among the Palestinian electorate. Its chief political rival, the Palestinian Authority is tainted with allegations of theft of public funds and widespread corruption that has left the Palestinians in dire poverty despite multi-billion-dollar donations from Europe and the United States. Much of the foreign aid has found its way into Yasser Arafat’s Swiss bank accounts and some in his wife’s French bank accounts.
Funded with Saudi and Iranian money, the Hamas has launched a myriad of charitable institutions that have helped the terrorist organization to garner popular support in the Palestinian Street and abroad.
Against this backdrop, Hamas seems poised to win a seat at the helm of the future Palestinian State, with U.S. backing and forced Israeli consent. The result is the foregone conclusion that the Palestinians are now busily laying the foundation for a terrorist State that will be stand alongside Israel. The new terrorist State is guaranteed to perpetuate the Middle East conflict and the global Jihad responsible for the slaughter of tens-of-thousands of innocent civilians.
* * *
What do you think about this issue?
In what way would a State of Hamas-stan affect chances for peace?

Home
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks