Israel Matzav

'Palestinians' still have resources but Islamic leaders call for Jihad

The 'Palestinians' still have resources and are getting by according to this article in the Washington Post, the first I have seen in the American mainstream media that does not depict the 'Palestinians' as desparate impoverished people. Of course, they blame Israel for their plight:

"This is a new government, and to be honest, I just don't know whether to blame them or not," said Ahmed Ghaith, 38, who drives a collective taxi in the village. "Everybody is against them, and to me it seems like they haven't been given a chance. This is Israel's fault."

For those of you who live in Ramot Gimmel or Vav, the 'village' under discussion is Beit Ikksa, which most of you can see out your windows, and it has a wealthy patron who is apparently involved in the stock market in the UAE - a native son who has made it abroad (but still a 'refugee'). The kids always like the name Beit Ikksa, because Ikksa in Hebrew means "yuck" or "blech" in English.

What kind of chance does Ghaith expect Hamas to be given? Everyone knows who they are and what they stand for and they have given no indication of any willingness to change.

In fact, yesterday in Qatar, several prominent Islamic clerics called for support for Hamas. The tone of their calls indicates that there is nothing for Israel to discuss with Hamas:

In their closing remarks, the clerics noted that it was the duty of Muslims to support the Palestinians financially and in any other way they could. The clerics also reiterated a tough line against giving up any right to historic Palestine.

"The right to historical Palestine is an eternal right, and no soul can relinquish it, neither in an agreement, a document or a promise," the scholars said, stressing that no one could ban "jihad for the liberation of Palestine" or could "damn the jihadists."

There were no representatives from Fatah, the more secular Palestinian movement, which led the Palestinian Authority until it was ousted in January's elections.

"God instructed the men of religion to stand up for justice and keep the Muslim nation aware," said Prof. Ahmad Ali al-Iman, a Sudanese cleric. "Palestine is a religious issue, not just a political one, and affects all Muslims. So we want the Muslim nation to stand as one with the Palestinians."

It's going to be a long pitched battle - if the west decides to fight it.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:13 PM