Is that this assertion true or false: Israel is justified in flattening Gaza as a result of the Palestinians elected Hamas in 2006 which proves they assist terrorism.
- True
- False
The reply is “2”. The 2006 elections don’t show that the Palestinians assist terrorism. Fairly the opposite. What the polling knowledge exhibits is that almost all of individuals voted on points utterly unrelated to terrorism. Right here’s what they voted for:
- Security and Safety (37%)
- Decreased Corruption (25%)
What a shock, eh? So, the Palestinians need the identical factor that individuals need in all places; Extra safety and fewer corruption.
Nobody—and I imply nobody—voted for Hamas as a result of they thought the group would instigate extra bloody confrontations with Israel. The truth that “security and safety” have been the No 1 subject, exhibits that there’s no urge for food for extra battle in any respect. Palestinians—at the least the vast majority of Palestinians—need peace. That’s what all of the surveys inform us. Sadly, the media has tried to persuade folks that the alternative is true, that the folks of Gaza voted for Hamas as a result of they nonetheless cling to the concept of “pushing the Jews into the ocean.” However that’s simply not true. See for your self:
An exit ballot performed by Close to East Consulting on 15 February 2006 on voters collaborating within the 2006 PA elections revealed the next responses to main issues:
Help for a Peace Settlement with Israel:79.5% in assist
15.5% in oppositionOught to Hamas change its insurance policies relating to Israel:
Sure – 75.2%
No – 24.8%Underneath Hamas corruption will lower:
Sure – 78.1%
No – 21.9%Underneath Hamas inner safety will enhance:
Sure – 67.8%
No – 32.2%Hamas authorities priorities:
1) Combatting corruption
2) Ending safety chaos
3) Fixing poverty/unemployment
Now, I do know that many individuals wish to scapegoat the Palestinians for the ghastly bloodbath that is happening in the present day, however it simply doesn’t sq. with the details. Palestinians voted for Hamas—not as a result of they thought the group was an ideal match with their very own values—however as a result of they seemed to be much less corrupt than the disreputable puppets in Fatah. Individuals must be sympathetic to those emotions given the similarities between the 2006 Gaza balloting and the 2016 Presidential elections within the US. Within the American election, many individuals voted for Trump—not as a result of they couldn’t see he was a deeply-flawed candidate with no political expertise—however as a result of his opponent was probably the most crooked and vindictive politician in American historical past. Trump was clearly the ‘lesser of two evils’, simply as Hamas was the lesser of two evils.
However there’s extra to this story than most individuals notice. And, that’s, that Hamas had ordered the whole cessation of suicide bombings greater than a yr earlier than the election. Do you know that?
It’s true; no extra suicide missions, no extra blown-up buses, retail outlets and low homes. No extra bereaved households, wailing moms and infinite funeral processions. All of it stopped. And it stopped as a result of Hamas stopped it.
Did the voters in Gaza know that?
In fact, they knew that, and it’s uncertain that Hamas would have gained the election is the group had continued with the bombings. As a result of that’s not what the ‘common man’ needs.
And, guess what occurred after the bombings stopped?
Then Hamas determined to enter the political area. Once more, this was a major growth that was downplayed within the media however despatched tremors by way of the Israeli political institution.
Why?
As a result of Israeli leaders put the 2 developments collectively and will see what was occurring. Hamas was shifting its strategy from armed battle to a political monitor. That could be a tectonic change in coverage that represented a grave risk to Israel’s broader Zionist technique which entails the seizing of extra land to kind a Better Israel.
However how was Israel going to grab extra land if the Hamas boogieman had reworked himself right into a dovish politician who now not engaged in acts of terrorism? That’s the conundrum that Israel confronted.
It’s additionally value mentioning, that as quickly as Hamas gained the election, they declared a unilateral ceasefire with Israel. (which put much more stress on Israel.) In different phrases, Israel continued the assaults on Gaza, however Hamas refused to reply.
Moreover, Israel imposed a suffocating blockade on Gaza that has persevered till in the present day. And the explanation they did this, was as a result of the specter of ‘peace breaking out’ was too severe to disregard. If Hamas was going to pursue a peaceable political monitor, then Israel must enhance the provocations, the incitements and the brutality.
However, why?
As soon as once more, it’s as a result of Israel wants a boogieman to justify its operational plan for territorial growth. It’s that straightforward. They will’t merely take the land by pressure with out first concocting a pretext that may conceal their actual motive. So, although everybody is aware of that Israel is expelling the Palestinians so as to management all of the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, they nonetheless must justify the operation by way of a (fictitious) nationwide safety risk that they should confront. Hamas, after all, is that fictitious risk that have to be eradicated by turning all of Gaza right into a smoldering pile of rubble. See the way it works? Try this transient excerpt from an article at Counterpunch in 2007:
Hamas not too long ago renounced violence by sustaining a unilateral ceasefire for properly over a yr. The identical interval noticed a gentle escalation of Israeli raids, arrests, killings, and settlements within the occupied territories. Everybody, together with Israel’s basic workers, is aware of that Hamas would return to a ceasefire if it thought Israel have been severe about reciprocating. Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Meshaal’s current proposal for a 10-year ceasefire was summarily rebuffed. Pushing the Wedge in Palestine, Counterpunch
Backside line: The Palestinians voted for the flawed occasion, so the Palestinians needed to be punished. That’s not the best way democracy is meant to work.
And, what is especially ironic about these developments, is that it was america that compelled the elections to start with. The Palestinians didn’t care about elections. How have been elections going to assist them? No, it was the Bush Administration and their risible democracy-spreading agenda that compelled the balloting. The truth is, Bush and Co pumped $2.3 million into the Palestinian elections by way of USAID which was “allegedly designed to bolster the picture of President Abbas and his Fatah occasion.”
Attention-grabbing, isn’t it, that we really know the way a lot cash was spent meddling in a overseas election. And, but —even in any case that meddling—the plan failed. Hamas gained anyway.
And that’s when Israel freaked out. They stated the elections proved that the Palestinians supported terrorism which—as we’ve already proven—shouldn’t be the case in any respect. The Palestinians didn’t vote for terrorism, they voted for safety and sincere authorities. The entire Israel-media narrative is a fairytale.
However the critics are appropriate in saying that Hamas steadfastly refused to acknowledge “Israel’s proper to exist”. That’s true, however there’s additionally a proof. Right here’s extra from James Brooks:
As for ‘recognizing Israel’s proper to exist’, we merely word that Israel has but to acknowledge the state of Palestine’s ‘proper to exist’. Israel at the moment forbids a Palestinian state and negates the Palestinians’ nationwide rights day by day with its strangling army occupation. Underneath the circumstances, it hardly appears unreasonable for Hamas to withhold recognition of this ‘proper to exist’ till it’s reciprocated in phrase and deed.” (Counterpunch)
He’s proper; why ought to Hamas make concessions to Israel that Israel gained’t make to Hamas? All Israel must do is settle for UN Resolutions requiring it to remain inside its 1967 internationally-accepted borders, and every thing will likely be superb. Which brings us to the following level, which is; Is Hamas prepared to stay side-by-side with Israel in peace?
And, the reply is: Sure, it’s. That is from an article by Elaine Hagopian:
After Hamas gained the elections in 2006, its management accepted a two-state answer primarily based on the pre-war June 4, 1967 borders, however this was unacceptable to Israel. Earlier, Israel destroyed secular Fatah chief and Palestinian Authority President Arafat for failing at Camp David in July 2000 to adjust to its calls for to just accept everlasting Israeli management over Palestinian life and land confined in enclaves. Hamas grew to become the brand new problem to Israel’s imaginative and prescient. Gaza: Historical past Issues, Counterpunch
Let me get this straight: Hamas accepts a two-state answer?
Yep, it positive does, in truth, right here it’s from the horse’s mouth himself. It is a brief excerpt from a Washington Submit interview with Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in 2006. Haniyeh stated that he wished to see an finish the “vicious cycle of violence” and vehemently denied the declare that “Hamas is dedicated to destroying Israel”. He stated, “We would not have any emotions of animosity towards Jews. We don’t want to throw them into the ocean. All we search is to be given our land again, to not hurt anyone….We aren’t struggle seekers nor are we struggle initiators. We aren’t lovers of blood. We’re oppressed folks with rights.”
Wa Submit: “Would Hamas acknowledge Israel if it have been to withdraw to the ’67 borders?”Haniyeh: “If Israel withdraws to the ’67 borders, then we’ll set up peace in phases… We’ll set up a scenario of stability and calm which can deliver security for our folks.
Wa Submit: “Do you acknowledge Israel’s proper to exist?”
Haniyeh: “The reply is to let Israel say it can acknowledge a Palestinian state alongside the 1967 borders, launch the prisoners and acknowledge the rights of the refugees to return to Israel. Hamas can have a place if this happens.”
Wa Submit: “Will you acknowledge Israel?
Haniyeh: “If Israel declares that it’ll give the Palestinian folks a state and provides them again all their rights, then we’re prepared to acknowledge them.”
Haniyeh’s solutions are easy and rational. He requested for nothing that isn’t already required beneath present United Nations resolutions; a return to the 1967 borders, fundamental human rights, and settlement of the ultimate standing points. An settlement might be facilitated tomorrow if Israel was prepared to evolve to worldwide regulation. As an alternative, Israel has chosen to invade Gaza. Right here’s extra from Haniyeh:
“We wish what Individuals get pleasure from — democratic rights, financial sovereignty and justice. We thought our pleasure in conducting the fairest elections within the Arab world would possibly resonate with america and its residents. As an alternative, our new authorities was met from the very starting by acts of express, declared sabotage by the White Home. Now this aggression continues in opposition to 3.9 million civilians dwelling on this planet’s largest jail camps. America’s complacency within the face of those struggle crimes is, as ordinary, embedded within the coded rhetorical inexperienced gentle: “Israel has a proper to defend itself.” The Gaza Massacre, Counterpunch
Right here’s a bit extra on the subject:
In 2009, former President Jimmy Carter visited the West Financial institution and Gaza the place he met with Ismail Haniyah, who he thought could be a dependable companion in future negotiations. Carter additionally met with Hamas Chief Khaled Meshaal in Damascus who assured the ex-president that Hamas would settle for any settlement reached between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, offered it was authorized by the Palestinian folks in a nationwide referendum. Carter’s interplay with Hamas leaders disproved western pro-Israel pundits who had claimed that Hamas would by no means decide to such an settlement. They have been flawed. Hamas needs peace. Right here’s a brief blurb from an article within the Jewish Telegraphic Company in 2015:
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter stated Hamas chief Khaled Meshal is in favor of the peace course of with Israel and that Hamas shouldn’t be a terrorist group.Carter additionally instructed Israel Channel 2 on Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shouldn’t be in favor of a two-state answer with the Palestinians.
“I don’t see that deep dedication on the a part of Netanyahu to make concessions which [former prime minister] Menachem Start did to seek out peace together with his potential enemies,” Carter stated.
Of Meshal, the ex-U.S. chief stated, “I don’t consider that he’s a terrorist. He’s strongly in favor of the peace course of.” Carter added that he “deplored” terrorist acts by Hamas and would assist reasonable members of the group. Jimmy Carter: Hamas chief favors peace, Netanyahu not dedicated to 2 states, JTA
So, let’s summarize:
Jimmy Carter needs a two-state answer primarily based on UN Resolutions requiring Israel to remain inside its 1967 internationally-accepted borders.
Hamas chief Khaled Meshal needs a two-state answer primarily based on UN Resolutions requiring Israel to remain inside its 1967 internationally-accepted borders.
Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh needs a two-state answer primarily based on UN Resolutions requiring Israel to remain inside its 1967 internationally-accepted borders.
So, what’s the issue? It appears like everybody agrees.
However, no, Mr. Netanyahu doesn’t agree, in truth, he’s adamantly against any Palestinian state throughout the space from the Jordan to the Sea. And Netanyahu not solely has a strong army machine to again him up, however he additionally has influential pals in Washington that may present him with as many bombs and weapons as he must drive defenseless civilians off their historic homeland and into Egypt.
So, the peace course of can’t transfer ahead which implies the bloodletting will proceed for the foreseeable future. It’s the nice tragedy of our time. Right here’s one final excerpt from an interview between Alexander Cockburn and Khaled Meshal that happened in 2008:
I do know very properly that the American individuals are very sort folks. However our drawback is with the overseas insurance policies of successive American administrations. We accepted a state of… Palestine on the borders of 1967. The worldwide group did not stress Israelis to do the identical. So, what’s left for Palestinians to do, besides resist? For our half, we desire the peaceable path. However we discover the peaceable path blocked. Therefore, the Palestinians are left with no choice however the resistance. And that is what explains why the Palestinian folks elected Hamas and why, amid famine and starvation and siege inflicted on the Palestinian folks in the present day, you discover the identical factor: the Palestinian individuals are supporting Hamas…. Alexander Cockburn’s 2008 Interview With Hamas’ Khaled Meshal, Counterpunch
American president John F Kennedy reiterated these similar sentiments in March 1962 at an tackle on the primary Anniversary of the Alliance for Progress when he stated:
Those that make peaceable revolution unattainable will make violent revolution inevitable.
Certainly.
