5 Myths of Palestinian Unity
April 28, 2011 9:33 by Pesach Benson
Hamas and Fatah finally reconciled with a national unity deal bringing Hamas into the government. The deal they inked calls for an interim government of technocrats until presidential and legislative elections take place within a year.
The tea leaves were there to be read. A month ago, Khaled Abu Toameh noted that Mahmoud Abbas’s unity efforts “designed to send a message to the Americans and Europeans that unless they step up pressure on Israel he will have to join forces with Hamas.”
Abbas also said he was willing to give up US aid for Palestinian unity. Partnering up with Hamas didn’t happen out of nowhere, and the PA chairman clearly knows the risks he’s taking.
Here are a five media myths to beware.
Myth: Hamas is pragmatic about peace.
Fact: Hamas still wants to destroy Israel. It has always defied calls to renounce violence, recognize Israel’s right to exist, and honor past negotiating agreements. The Hamas charter remains unchanged.
Myth: Ruling Gaza has moderated Hamas.
Fact: Quite the opposite. Hamas is emboldened, imposing Islamic law, smuggling sophisticated weapons, and watching the Muslim Brotherhood’s gains in Egypt. No goodwill gestures for Gilad Shalit from a new and improved PA are on the horizon. Need I go on?
Myth: Palestinian unity paves the way for UN recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Fact: It remains to be seen how durable this unity will really be. The two sides will bury their squabbles till September, but all bets are off afterwards. Remember, Hamas and Fatah already reconciled in 2007, only to see Hamas take over Gaza as Fatah supporters like Mohammed Sweirki ?were literally thrown off the rooftops. And both sides have other calculations. Fatah lost its biggest patron, Hosni Mubarak, while Hamas faces losing Bashar Assad. Now, they need each other, for better or for worse.
Myth: Abbas is displaying real statesmanship.
Fact: Salam Fayyad’s state-building efforts were the PA’s main source of credibility in the West. The closer we get to September, the more the PA needs to tout Fayyad’s program. Instead, Abbas is throwing Fayyadism under the bus. That’s stupidity, not statesmanship.
Myth: Israel must prove its willingness to make peace by negotiating with a unified Palestinian government.
Fact: What’s to negotiate when the other side wants to destroy you?
Paulo Gamarski
3:13 am
Apr 30, 2011
Em que pé estão as negociações com a AP? Isso é o que é relevante e o que deveriamos estar bem informados e debatendo.
Em relação à paz futura, é o que interessa.
Agree or Disagree:
1 
2
Brent Pudsey
1:52 pm
Apr 30, 2011
This is a well written and scholarly perspective on the conflicts in the Middle East and how they involve Israel. It is true that Israel will have to be on guard for more conflict.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
14 
3
andrew
2:35 am
May 01, 2011
once again we can turn to the ‘word of G-d’ for an answer, sadly, the forces of ‘evil’ will gather against israle to destroy Her, the good news is found in Issiah, the Lord G-d of Israel, the G-d of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, the Father of creation, will not forsake His people Israel, but will deliver them with an outstretched arm and mighty right hand, for His names sake He will not let Israel perish.He only asks that you turn back to Him with ‘all of your hearts’ and He will establish you forever and destroy your enemies, history is full of His deliverance and provision for His chosen people, He loves ‘all of you’ this is why you have been returned to His land of Cannan and why He will defeat your enemies, you are the only nation on earth He chose for Himself, Look at the attempts to ‘take you out’, yes you have suffered death and loss, yet you remain and grow stronger every day, this is evidence in itself, please, as David did, Trust the Lord Your G-d who alone is able to deliver,
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
9 
2
TJTaxi
10:52 am
May 02, 2011
This is just the kind of bible quoting fundamentalism that worsend the impasse. Ig noring the current realpolitik will not lead to a lasting solution. Lets try and keep God out of this for the moment
Hot debate. What do you think?
3 
8
Glenn David
10:46 am
May 01, 2011
Why ‘finally’?!
Re: Hamas and Fatah finally reconciled…
If just even the goal of the Israeli position is to conceive of the 2-state position as a taunt, then both Fatah and others (now Hamas) must be projected well by us in the most proper context of their essential mockery. Thus, unless and until fully understood as pseudo-mercenaries of the secular forces and elemental energy of the Knesset, non-Jews living among us, especially and particularly representing (‘important’) political positions, (and those not formally confirmed as ‘bnei Noah’ by a reputable bais din, as stated by Rambam), must be presented by responsible media as just this — dramatists whose protocols are meant mostly (and hopefully ONLY) toward insight through their mockery of all legitimate bureaucracies. (Of course, this can never include their own bureaucracies, but in some way does cover their dainties for the primitive efforts they invoke along the way; vei; vei to most of the rest of us).
So, although a very good story in most respects, the implication is that the essential nature of the issue is not adequately being felt widely enough. Kever Yosef will not remain forever as a junkyard for the deceitful and frustrated culture in the world’s midst, and neither does any substitute for a Bais Hamikdash under Malchus Bais Dovid qualify for even temporary formal applause. The two-state solution is a strategy of traveling political ‘wanna-bes’, and though it may be perceived as fun and games to some around us, in essence, it’s mockery and ‘gypsy-ism’, and does not actually seek applause or legitimacy from higher echelons of us – such as this website. It does not merit ‘finality’ of ANYTHING of a formal nature!
Thus, the title should only display with pietist’s pity:
Hamas and Fatah reconcile?!
Agree or Disagree:
1 
0
Mike
3:08 pm
May 01, 2011
These long rambles add nothing to the discussion. If you have a point make it. It’s not complicated. Speak clearly, say what you are saying without long convoluted sentences that go nowhere.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
7 
3
mike
3:27 pm
May 01, 2011
Everyone seriously interested in why peace has been ilusive should read the Hamas Charter by cilcking on the link at the beginning of the article, righ tafter the paragraph: “Myth: Hamas is pragmatic about peace.”
The charter defines Hamas. The charter is what the people of Gaza voted for by an overwhelming democratic majority. The charter repeatedly states that all these peace discussions are meaningless and will not be regarded as binding. The charter states that the only goal of Hamas is destruction – specifically the destruction of Israel, and specifically (check it out for yourself) the murder of its Jewish population.
This is what the people of Gaz want and it is what they voted for.
All western liberals who wrongly believe that other countriess must respect the wishes of the people of Gaza because they are the democratically expressed wishes, are no more right than those who respected the democratically elected government of Germany in 1933.
The intentions of these two “democracies” are identical. Check it out for yourselves at:
http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/www.thejerusalemfund.org/carryover/documents/charter.html
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
17 
0
mike
8:59 pm
May 01, 2011
The Hamas Charter really is a “must read” for anyone who wants to even begin to understand the current situation in the area. lick the link at the beginning of the article or paste the link below.
You will not find EVEN ONE SINGLE ITEM of what the Hamas party intends to build, or how they will develop the economic well-being of the Palestinian Arabs, or how they will develop technologically, agriculturally, educationally, or provide health care, or develop the physical infrastructure of the “Palestinian State”.
Take a look for yourself at the entire motivation of those whom the US and the EU and the UN would like us to negotiate with. Take a look at those to whom the world would have us make concessions, conciliatory gestures. Take a look at what they themselves describne as their sole motivation, their raison d’etre – their reason for existing: hatred of Jews and the destruction of Israel. That is their own definition of themselves. That is the platform upon which they campaigned for the popular vote of the people of Gaza in open democratic elections which Hamas won with an overwhelming majority. This charter represents the will of the majority of the ordinary people of Gaza.
What does it tell you about those who ask Israel to “negotiate” with Hamas? And what can the world possibly really mean by “negotiate”? What can Hamas, given its position and its clearly stated sole aim, negotiate? The method of destruction? The time frame of destruction? What destructive weapons are to be used? And what will be Israel’s role in these “negotiations”? How quickly to concede? The time-frame of its abdication of its responsibility to defend its citizens? Read the Hamas Charter and try to answer the question:
What can be negotiated with the elected government of Gaza and with the Fatah party in the West Bank that has now affiliated with the would-be destroyer of Israel, and has become its full partner?
Hamas Charter link:
http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/www.thejerusalemfund.org/carryover/documents/charter.html
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
12 
0
Stan Corbett
4:14 pm
May 05, 2011
All the years of negotiation with Palestinians was a wasted effort by Israel. If Palestinians wanted peace, it would have occured years ago. We will not see peace in our lifetime since Palestinians, specifically Hamas, want war and not peace. Let’s end the farce of negotiations with people who only want to see the destruction of Israel and death of the Jewish people.
Well-loved. Agree or Disagree:
8 
2
The Guardian’s view of the Middle East: virtual reality | Anne's Opinions
11:34 pm
Sep 19, 2011
[...] - would relaunch the conflict with Hamas – and this is bad because….? Why should Fatah want to be partners with the violent murderous Hamas, that same Hamas who threw Fatah members out of windows and off of [...]
Agree or Disagree:
0 
0
iphone
7:04 pm
Apr 06, 2013
Hi there to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting
more from this web site, and your views are fastidious
in support of new visitors.
Agree or Disagree:
0 
0