Hamas wins Palestinian Elections
So this was a long time coming... Not to say I wasn't surprised--I think everyone was, including Hamas itself. Nonetheless, in retrospect it does seem like it was only inevitable.
On the whole I think I'm generally happy that this has happened. Not because I support terrorism--I don't. Nor because I want Islamic fundamentalism to spread in the region--I sure as hell don't. But Palestine needed a change, some change, and this is better than nothing.
...
The media has been spinning this in an interesting way, making it sound like it was only a reaction against Fatah, as opposed to an attraction toward Hamas. There's some truth to that--Fatah is corrupt and incompetent, and the Palestinians know that all too well. But the driving reason appears to be the Palestinians' desire for resistance, and for a government that represents their desire for this resistance. They're sick and tired of being subjugated and oppressed, and have decided that resistance is the only way to improve their situation. Whether this turns out to be effective remains to be seen, but so far the Western-sponsored peace process had yielded nothing but heartache for Palestinians, while giving Israel the perogative to steal more land. Granted it has also yielded heartache for many Israelis, but the equation has been much worse for the Palestinians than it has been for the Israelis. Time is ripe for change.
I do have a concern--many concerns in fact. But first and foremost is the spread of Islamic fundamentalism in Palestine and beyond. The ascent of Hamas may further consolidate this shift, which is bad for everyone. It is understandable--people there are desperate, and have naturally sought religion in time of dispair. Many Americans have done the same. But it doesn't make it any less dangerous--if another Taliban emerges in Palestine, Palestinians will have to deal with oppression from within and without.
...
With my first real post I guess I have already set the political tone of this blog. Before I wrap I will say this for an optimistic end. If justice were to come to the region, everyone will be better off, Palestinians and Israelis. Let's hope that the rise of Hamas will be a mean to that end, but not the end itself.
On the whole I think I'm generally happy that this has happened. Not because I support terrorism--I don't. Nor because I want Islamic fundamentalism to spread in the region--I sure as hell don't. But Palestine needed a change, some change, and this is better than nothing.
...
The media has been spinning this in an interesting way, making it sound like it was only a reaction against Fatah, as opposed to an attraction toward Hamas. There's some truth to that--Fatah is corrupt and incompetent, and the Palestinians know that all too well. But the driving reason appears to be the Palestinians' desire for resistance, and for a government that represents their desire for this resistance. They're sick and tired of being subjugated and oppressed, and have decided that resistance is the only way to improve their situation. Whether this turns out to be effective remains to be seen, but so far the Western-sponsored peace process had yielded nothing but heartache for Palestinians, while giving Israel the perogative to steal more land. Granted it has also yielded heartache for many Israelis, but the equation has been much worse for the Palestinians than it has been for the Israelis. Time is ripe for change.
I do have a concern--many concerns in fact. But first and foremost is the spread of Islamic fundamentalism in Palestine and beyond. The ascent of Hamas may further consolidate this shift, which is bad for everyone. It is understandable--people there are desperate, and have naturally sought religion in time of dispair. Many Americans have done the same. But it doesn't make it any less dangerous--if another Taliban emerges in Palestine, Palestinians will have to deal with oppression from within and without.
...
With my first real post I guess I have already set the political tone of this blog. Before I wrap I will say this for an optimistic end. If justice were to come to the region, everyone will be better off, Palestinians and Israelis. Let's hope that the rise of Hamas will be a mean to that end, but not the end itself.
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