Haaretz (Ze'ev Schiff): Hamas' critical lesson

[furman]

Note to Tom Joad:
The author seems to disagree that "non-violent resistance" is how the Palestinian leadership is conducting themselves.

Note to Violet_Crumble:
See the use of the terms "Judea and Samaria" in Haaretz: the very publication you recommended to me recently and from where I might learn something.


http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/798477.html
Hamas' critical lesson
By Ze'ev Schiff

What lesson has Hamas drawn after the Israeli government unconditionally accepted the cease-fire in the Gaza Strip? The best way to get out of trouble is to use force, and if needed, even more force.

<snip>

And so it is that even as Hamas finds itself under pressure due to the economic siege and to IDF operations - which have caused heavy losses - the firing of Qassams at Sderot and the Negev has only increased. Similarly, negotiations to free Gilad Shalit have become more tense. Hamas even refuses to allow him to be seen by the Red Cross (as does Hezbollah), and demands that Israel release the murderers of cabinet minister Rehavam Ze'evi in exchange for the abducted soldier.

<snip>

For Hamas, it is important to have a cease-fire that does not include laying down arms in the Palestinian territories and for its military strength to continue growing apace without a diplomatic or military agreement with Israel.

That is a reasonable scenario. When Hamas gets a bit stronger, it will replicate its efforts in Judea and Samaria in order to win a cease-fire on its own terms. The timing will not be determined by Mahmoud Abbas or a unity government but rather by the military wing of Hamas. This will be determined predominantly in Damascus, and with Iran's influence.

<snip>

Even the Egyptians have said that Israel's restraint in the face of continued rocket fire should be limited to ten days or so.

<snip>

What are the chances that the cease-fire will hold? One need only look at Fatah - Abbas' own organization - which occasionally launches a Qassam at Israel.

This in itself is proof of the instability impairing the Palestinian side. Hamas expects that the international community will roll back the pressure it is currently exerting, and recognize the group without its having to recognize Israel and adopt prior agreements. Meaning that funds will be transferred to Hamas even if it doesn't forfeit its ideology of liquidating Israel.

<snip>

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/798477.html

[oberliner]

1. Did you notice this comment on the Ha'aretz page?

To the author: your reference to Judea and Samaria gives it all away really. You’re not actually interested in any kind of land for peace deal either otherwise you wouldn`t use those absurd historical anachronisms to describe the west bank. At a guess, all you`re interested in is discrediting Hamas so that you can expel as many Palestinians as possible and colonise what remains of their land.