In an election last week, an interesting development occurred in the global atmosphere regarding terrorism. Palestinian citizens voted to create a national parliament wherein the majority of seats are now held by members of Hamas, a radical Islamic political group. With Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon recently out of commission, there is no question that the following year will bring many questions concerning politics in the Middle East.
Hamas (not unlike the U.S. government, at times) could literally be considered delusion. One Hamas political head has stated that Hamas plans to take “a very realistic approach” in its task of governing Palestine. The problem is that in Hamas’s reality, the Israeli state and the Israeli people are considered more termites than people – living in a place that they do not belong, and deserving of extermination. Hamas defends suicide bomb attacks on Israeli civilians, refuses to recognize the right of Israel to exist, and, in its 1988 charter, speaks of a Muslim’s religious obligation to continue the struggle against the Jewish people.
Interestingly, not all Israeli citizens are up in arms about the future leadership of Hamas. Many Israelis point to the fact that with Hamas in power, there is sure to be internal strife between Hamas and the previous ruling group, Fatah. Founded by former Prime Minister Yasser Arafat, the Fatah movement engaged in a number of protests over the weekend; denouncing Hamas’s ability to rule, and chanting that a partnership between Fatah and Hamas will be impossible. To add yet another layer of internal strife, some younger members of Fatah held their own protests, calling for the resignation of myriad older party members in response to Fatah’s recent political loss.
As for the United States, Bush has vehemently stated that “if your platform is the destruction of Israel, you’re not a partner in peace.” The U.S. classifies Hamas as a terrorist organization. Just yesterday, U.S. senators backed President Bush’s proposal to cut monetary aid to the Palestinian government ($150 million slated to be spent this year), unless the Hamas party ends its calls for Israel’s destruction and drops the militant wing of the party.
There is no question that the United States has no obligation to support a government deemed terrorists; however, asking Hamas to drop the militant aspect of its party is akin to asking the group to trade in all of Palestine’s weaponry for an arsenal of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Hamas, along with the citizens of Israel, believes that weapons and militants are necessary to ensure safety and protection and exact a well-deserved dose of revenge. The United States will get nowhere in Middle East negotiations by demanding that Palestinians de-militarize, while allowing Israelis to remain stable in their military ability.
Few involved in the Middle East dilemma are willing to compromise. Israel will refuse to recognize the new Palestinian government, until the Palestinian government recognizes Israel’s right to exist. Talks between
Israel and Palestine are, as of now, a virtual impossibility seeing as both neighbors are deluding themselves into believing that the other does not exist. It is very much like a frightened child hiding behind her hands with the hope that if she refuses to see the surrounding world, the surrounding world will cease to pose a threat.
In order that there is not a complete dehumanization of rivals in the Middle East, both Israel and Palestine must make compromises. Israel has all the reason in the world to refuse to acknowledge Hamas; however, opening the door to talks with Palestine could be the first step in showing this brand new government that the Israeli state is a group of fellow human beings; certainly worthy of Palestinian recognition. Likewise, if Hamas wishes to engage in any kind of legitimate government, they must show some degree of solidarity with Israel. After all, both countries are fighting for exactly the same goal: The right to exist, in peace. Palestine must recognize that the Israeli citizens’ fight is not all that different from its own; and that therefore, it makes the most sense to end calls for violence against Israel.
A legitimate government does not build a political platform upon delusions of non-existence, and a legitimate government does not deny its people necessary foreign aid in order wage vengeful and cruel warfare against a neighboring state. It is time for someone in the Middle East to take the high road, and Hamas ought to consider stepping up to the plate by altering its stance on Israel. The only other choice will mean proving to the world that it is Hamas and Palestine who are undeserving of political recognition.
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