Dr. Jonathan Spyer of Herzliya’s Interdisciplinary Center forcefully debunks the idea that Hamas’ participation and success in the Palestinian elections automatically makes it “legit.”
History is replete with examples of movements that sought to combine the use of the tools of democracy with the substantive rejection of its goals, and the desire eventually to subvert and destroy it. The totalitarian ideologies of the 20th century were examples of this type. The continued health and existence of democracies required that they identify those threats in good time, and did not lack the will to act against them. Such requirements also hold for the threat represented by the Hamas, which seeks both to destroy Israel and to enslave the Palestinians.
Spyer also criticizes officials in Washington and London supporting dialogue with Hamas.
