Incandescent Hate
Another rally in Gaza, this time launched by Hamas. Lest we overlook their vehemently re-stated intention to triumph in good time through the annihilation of the State of Israel. As though that singular dedication had been forgotten, lapsed anyone's memory, been pushed into history as though it had never be declared, as if terror attacks of increasingly demonic intent in the destruction of human lives had never occurred, continue to be planned and relished.The onlookers of the world prefer to turn their heads the other way and indeed are prepared to relinquish belief in the integrity of that fevered promise of destruction. Focusing instead on the perceived potential of the other Palestinians, those from the West Bank, led by Fatah, waging a hard-fought peace with Israel. For that matter, many if not most Israelis lend themselves to this promise of a future peace, however troubling the prospect of facing perpetually aggrieved Palestinians across a slender contiguous border might promise.
The prospect for peace, however elusive it seems in that incendiary geography, remains vibrant in the minds of some, forever hopeful; feeble in the minds of others, distracted by the reality of that tenuous existence fearful of ongoing attacks. And with fully one-third of the population of Gaza rallying in support of Hamas, avidly accepting the predictions of their Damascus-based spiritual leader, what possible assurances can there be for peace?
"Our people are capable of launching a third and a fourth intafada until the dawn of victory rises up", exclaimed Khaled Meshaal. To the cheers and the green-flag waving of the hundreds of thousands assembled in the central square of Gaza City. "Today is the day of Jihad, resistance and uprising", he thundered. That brave man, isolated in Syria, unwilling to share the hardships of existence his jihadist group has imposed upon the Gazan Palestinians.
Hamas, their head declared, will remain forever dedicated to jihad. "This is our real choice, our trump card, which causes the enemy to succumb to us. Those who make an enemy of America and the Zionist occupation gain popularity. We will never cede our land. The choice of resistance and jihad is the best path to liberate Palestine and return Jerusalem. Not negotiations and meetings, sitting at round tables and exchanging smiles and chuckles with the Jews."
But all is not yet lost, since Israel and the Fatah-controlled Palestinian Authority are bargaining in good faith, we are assured. Yet it is also Fatah terrorists who continue to attack Israel. Even PA police have been implicated in terror attacks, in murder against Israelis. And here is Israel, once again in good faith, assisting in the building-up of the PA army and police; a story re-visited from the Oslo Accords and the subsequent first intifada resulting in the IDF having to battle the very PA army it had helped train and arm.
With the record of past history an ugly scenario of possibility raises its head. It is not outside the realm of potential that with the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside that of Israel, attacks, at a far closer target will be infinitely more successful. It is quite within the realm of possibility that Fatah and Hamas may re-merge to pursue their common interests, utilizing the convenience of a closer, border-elongated launching site for their final offensive.
These are all choices that individuals and representative groups may choose to make, reflecting either their sincere commitment to peace in the region, or demonstrating their unfortunately irredeemable tendencies toward tribally-selective violence, completely upending their anticipated embrace of peace over bloodshed.
Labels: Israel, Middle East, Terrorism
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, December 16, 2007
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