Hamas wants the money
Posted by Moonage on 30 Jan 2006 | Tagged as: International Politics
OK, here’s the headline:
One of the things they cite is that cutting financial aid would lead to the collapse of the Palestinian Authority. Well, that’d be a shame IF they continue to encourage the violence in Palestine. You see, The US, especially Rice, are in a bit of a jam. We took out Saddam Hussein, and justified it to the rest of the world because the guy was attacking his neighbors. Although the WMD debate hijacked the issue, those of us supporting taking him out pre-2002 were more concerned about the destabilizing effect Hussein was having on the region. Now, the problem Hamas has is they have condoned destroying Israel, supported terrorist attacks, and done every single thing Saddam Hussein did. I mean, a lot of people should be putting pressure on Bush for being a hypocrite for allowing them to stay in power. The debate should not be about giving them more money, the debate should be removing them from power. They should be glad the only thing people are discussing is cutting their aid.
However, as is noted in the same article:
We in Hamas are ready to meet and have an open dialogue with the Quartet," he told a news conference in Gaza City. "We assure you that all the money will be spent under your supervision."
That might get them somewhere. Rather than coming across as terrorist thugs, civilized discussion would encourage the people that have what they want to be a little more receptive to debate. However, no sooner than that quote was made, so was this one:
A senior Hamas official in Lebanon, however, brushed aside warnings that Western aid to the Palestinians could dry up. "Cutting off funds now will be a punishment of the Palestinian people, not of Hamas," said Mohammed Nazzal, member of Hamas’ decision-making political bureau, which is based in Syria.
"If the European Union countries and the American administration see this as a means that could lead to a change in Hamas’ strategic position then they are dreaming and are mistaken. Hamas will never accept that," he said in an interview with Al-Arabiya TV.
Well, the problem here is the people of Palestine elected Hamas. I’m not sure the American administration sees this as a means to lead to a change in Hamas’ strategic position, we’ve just got an issue with supporting terrorist organizations in the 21st century. Sure, the people would suffer, but IMO, if they see how the world responds to Hamas, they might not be quite as convinced Hamas is doing what’s right for them and choose a path of peace and civility as soon as they can. The world made its offer to help Hamas with strings attached. Those strings will ALWAYS be attached. It’s OUR money and we have the right to expect something in return for it. If the Palestinian people choose not to accept those strings, then they are choosing their own destiny to suffer, we’re not doing it to them.
I was uncomfortable supporting aid to Palestine in the first place. I’m sure a lot of Americans were as well. Give me some evidence that it has led to some good and I’ll be less reticent. Electing terrorists to run their government is not what I had in mind.
- Technorati Hamas
4 Comments »
on 31 Jan 2006 at 7:27 pm 1.spaceman said …
Hamas winning so many seats is like the LA Crips being elected to LA’s city council… no, its even worse.
How about this… cut the money in proportion to the number of seats Hamas won.
on 31 Jan 2006 at 11:30 pm 2.spaceman said …
How about this… I just read where The President of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz, has said about the continuing funding of Palestine…
“We are on the horns of a dilemma,” he said. “We need to keep up pressure for reform, but this interim government is not in a position to do very much right now.
“It will help the whole process if the life of the average Palestinian improves. We ought to be the last people to disengage.”
I can’t believe this is the same Paul Wolfowitz.
on 01 Feb 2006 at 8:53 am 3.Moonage
said …
For some reason, when people get on these international boards, they flip out. I can believe about anything Wolfowitz says. I agree to some degree that I think it will help the world if the average Palestinian’s life improves, but, they have to be willing to make it improve themselves. “Take a horse to water” sorta thing. Palestine itself is a LOT better off than it was 60 years ago. The “Palestinians” living there are not. That’s primarily from their own choice of supporting terrorist attcks against Israel and others. The world has told them if they chill out we’ll help them. They have chosen not to listen to the world. Now that the world’s balking, they’re complaining. They can’t have it all ways. They do what it takes, we’ll make it improve. They don’t do what it takes, we’ll help the starving children in Africa. Their plight is no more special than those of most of the world.
on 01 Feb 2006 at 8:55 am 4.Moonage
said …
How about this… cut the money in proportion to the number of seats Hamas won.
Nah. Let’s just give it to Africa and make Bono happy.