Differences of Opinion
How very edifying, and how very ironic. The two entities purporting to represent the best interests of Palestinians are resolutely at war with one another. Their festering hatred one toward the other is peculiar in the extreme. While Fatah is considered to be 'moderate' in its attitudes toward Israel, Hamas remains fast in its resolve to destroy the State of Israel.Israel and Fatah have been engaged in protracted and for the time being, non-productive peace talks. There seems no future prospect for Israel and Hamas to engage in any talks that might lead to a peace agreement between them. The Syrian- and Lebanese-based leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah confer with their state sponsor, Iran, which enjoins them to continue their righteous battle with the enemy.
At the same time Fatah is bemoaning another enemy, their Palestinian compatriots, Hamas. Who they claim are violently persecuting their members in Gaza, accusing them of collaborating with Israel; imprisoning, torturing, shooting, and murdering them. All of which stands quite neatly as a metaphor for what Hamas and the larger Arab world claims Israel is doing to the Palestinians.
Here is Mahmoud Abbas, echoing the words of Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert; that he will reject talks with any group that fails to recognize the legitimacy of the Palestine Liberation Organization. This, in response to Hamas leader, Khaled Meshaal stating that the PLO has become obsolete, and should stand aside for "a new, national authority". Themselves, needless to say.
Another senior Hamas political leader pumped up a rally by stating that the PLO was dead. "It is high time the Palestinian people have a new leadership", he announced.
To which Mahmoud Abbas indignantly responds: "We say this with utmost clarity - no dialogue with whoever rejects the Palestine Liberation Organization."
His indignation at Hamas's casual disavowal of Fatah made all the more acute after visiting Palestinian casualties being cared for in a Cairo hospital, indicating that Hamas was responsible for placing the lives of Palestinians at risk by inviting conflict with Israel. "They ... have taken risks with the blood of Palestinians, with their fate, and dreams and aspirations for an independent Palestinian state."
Fatah, however, claims Ismail Haniya, is the real obstacle to Palestinian unity, ignoring Hamas's constant urging that it reform and restructure the PLO. Mr. Meshaal, paying homage to Iran in a visit to Tehran, praised his hosts for its support of Hamas: "The Islamic Republic of Iran has a big share in our victory in the Gaza Strip."
When delusional Hamas can characterize the Israeli offensive against Hamas rocket attacks in Gaza as a victory for themselves, one can only muse what a defeat might represent to them. From the grave they will rise, a collective miasma of ectoplasm bent on revenge.
Labels: Middle East, Terrorism
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, February 01, 2009
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