07-25-2014, 01:41 PM
Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by Israel and the US. Egypt (which is also the recipient of a boatload of US foreign aid) has detached from Hamas since Morsi was ousted. This leaves a sort of vacuum in the local peace talks/negotiations between Israel and Gaza, which used to be facilitated by the Egyptians.
I agree that not all Palestinians support Hamas and its methods, though Hamas did sweep parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories in 2006 – thrashing its rival, Fatah (which is only marginally less committed to the destruction of Israel). But, I don't know how "free" the elections were, really.
Anyway, I don't think it's necessarily practical or prudent for the average non-militant Palestinians in Gaza to protest and march the streets in opposition to Hamas. IMO, it's possible that they'd be in more danger of getting killed by Hamas than they are of getting killed by Israeli fighters.
As it stands now, cease fire negotiations aren't getting anywhere this time and the fighting continues. Hamas is demanding the occupation be ended (impossible demand; the Jews are not going to pick up and abandon Israel) and that Israel be demilitarized (never gonna happen either). Meanwhile, Israel demands that Gaza be demilitarized, stop firing rockets, and close off all tunnels into Israel.
Neither side is budging at this point. I don't think Hamas has anything much to lose if they continue refusing cease fire proposals (except Palestinian lives). Outside of Palestine territories, it doesn't appear to me that Hamas even has much support in the Arab world these days.
I agree that not all Palestinians support Hamas and its methods, though Hamas did sweep parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories in 2006 – thrashing its rival, Fatah (which is only marginally less committed to the destruction of Israel). But, I don't know how "free" the elections were, really.
Anyway, I don't think it's necessarily practical or prudent for the average non-militant Palestinians in Gaza to protest and march the streets in opposition to Hamas. IMO, it's possible that they'd be in more danger of getting killed by Hamas than they are of getting killed by Israeli fighters.
As it stands now, cease fire negotiations aren't getting anywhere this time and the fighting continues. Hamas is demanding the occupation be ended (impossible demand; the Jews are not going to pick up and abandon Israel) and that Israel be demilitarized (never gonna happen either). Meanwhile, Israel demands that Gaza be demilitarized, stop firing rockets, and close off all tunnels into Israel.
Neither side is budging at this point. I don't think Hamas has anything much to lose if they continue refusing cease fire proposals (except Palestinian lives). Outside of Palestine territories, it doesn't appear to me that Hamas even has much support in the Arab world these days.