Quote:
Originally Posted by AltaGuy
I deplore the senseless rocket attacks by Hamas. Unfortunately, cycles of relatively-calm rearming of rockets will be followed by periods such as these large-scale rocket barrages. Hamas will have galvanized their support, hundreds and possibly thousands of Gazans will have died, and there will be another "ceasefire". The only reason there is no ceasefire yet is Hamas has not yet run out of rockets. They will eventually, of course. Or they'll be sick of being killed by the Israeli military for the time being.
But - knowing full well what Israel will do in immediate response to the rockets every time, one must ask what can be done during the next "ceasefire" to prevent the cycle from perpetuating. To me, the only possibility is that Gazans themselves must see an alternative to Hamas. When Gazans look at the West Bank, they must see compatriots who are being rewarded by supporting non-violence, or at the very least not being taken advantage of during periods of calm.
Unfortunately, Fatah has fata-all to show Palestinians as a reward for a period of relative calm in the West Bank. Indeed, since the last intifada, this has been the most peaceful the West Bank has ever been vis-a-vis Israel. Pro-Israel voices will simply point toward the Wall, and suggest that that is the sole reason; but it's clearly not. The West Bank is also able to arm themselves with rockets and fire daily should they choose.
In deciding between support of Hamas and support of Fatah, Palestinians must be given a reason to support non-violence. Something, other than a strong feeling that Israel takes advantage of these periods of calm by extending the Wall, building additional settlements, further annexing East Jerusalem, and destroying the hope for an acceptable political compromise for the Palestinians.
Realistically, I have scant hope that Israel is ready to make one-sided compromises in order to sway popular Palestinian (and indeed, Israeli) opinions. But, Gaza will remain Hamas territory until it does. What should really concern Israel (and us in the West) is that Hamas may end up winning the West Bank as well given how ineffectual the PA looks during the current crisis. Should Hamas gain the West Bank and arm it with rockets as well, it's going to be really, really sad watching what unfolds. Unfortunately, I believe there are some in Israel who want just such a confrontation with Hamas in the West Bank. I think this is what will happen; and it's going to be terrible.
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Hamas did not come into power until after the Israelis had withdrawn from the Gaza Strip.
The withdrawal from Gaza was meant to be a test run. They withdrew from their to see what the effect would be of a later withdrawal form the West Bank. The West Bank has border is a much larger and harder border to defend.
Immediately upon withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the Palestinians voted in Hamas and used the territory as a platform to launch guerrilla warfare against Israeli citizens.
Your logic is flawed, in that the citizens of Gaza were already rewarded, and they responded with violence.