Israel Matzav

Delusional BGU professor thinks Hamas is 'moderate'

Nimrod Hurvitz from Ben Gurion University tries to convince us that Hamas is becoming 'moderate.'

Along with internal Palestinian changes, Hamas is also revaluating the nature of its struggle against Israel. Hamas spokesman Tahir al-Nono has stated that the use of violence against Israel is not their preferred policy. A similar comment was made by Hamas leader Khaled Mashal, who noted that Hamas will focus on popular resistance, and strive for a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. Both of them added the proviso that Hamas still reserves the right to use violence in self-defense.

Hurvitz obviously wasn't talking to Mahmoud al-Zahar, who unlike Meshaal actually lives in Gaza.

"Popular resistance is inappropriate for the Gaza Strip," al-Zahar said. "Against whom exactly would be rally? Such resistance would be fitting if Gaza was occupied." However, he claimed that all forms of resistance – including the armed kind – are appropriate for the West Bank, as it is "still under occupation."

Hurvitz goes on to argue that Hamas is reorienting itself away from the support of Iran, Syria and Hezbullah. That is true with respect to Syria, but given that Ismail Haniyeh plans to visit Iran this week, Hurvitz seems to be incorrect with respect to Iran. His ready dismissal of Hezbullah also seems quite unrealistic.

The Shiite axis, which has supported Hamas up until a few weeks ago and is made up of Iran, Syria and Hizballah in Lebanon, is disintegrating. Syria's despotic regime, which has hosted Hamas in Damascus for several years, is being brought down by mass demonstrations. Iran is in dire economic and diplomatic straits, and Hizballah is disoriented. The alliance has run aground and Hamas leaders have decided to jump ship.

I wonder if anyone in Lebanon would agree with the description of Hezbullah as 'disoriented.' If anything, Hezbullah is amassing more weapons as Iran transfers them from its Syrian client to its Lebanese one.

Hurvitz then argues that Hamas is reorienting itself toward 'moderate' Sunni states like Egypt and Tunisia - both of which have elected Islamists to power as the first move of their 'democracies.' Undaunted, Hurvitz claims that means that Egypt and Tunisia's Islamist governments both want to live in peace with Israel.

Lastly, the Muslim Brotherhood and al-Nahda have stated explicitly that they are interested in good relations with the West. What is more, the Muslim Brotherhood have declared that they respect Egypt's past international agreements. This means living alongside Israel in peace.

Except that the Muslim Brotherhood has said exactly the opposite when it comes to Israel.

The Muslim Brotherhood "did not sign the peace accords," Rashad al-Bayoumi told the London-based newspaper. "We are allowed to ask the people or the elected parliament to express their opinion on the treaty, and (to find out) whether it compromised the people's freedom and sovereignty.

"We will take the proper legal steps in dealing with the peace deal," he added. "To me, it isn't binding at all. The people will express their opinion on the matter."

While the Brotherhood intends to temporarily honor Egypt's international pacts, al-Bayoumi told noted, "each side has the right to reexamine the treaty."

...

He stressed that under no circumstances will the Brotherhood recognize the State of Israel.

I don't know what Hurvitz means by Egypt 'respecting' its agreements, but it sure seems that when it comes to Israel, the opposite is true.

So where is Israel in all this? You knew that was coming. After all, Hurvitz is a professor at what may be the most anti-Israel university in Israel (okay, admittedly, there is lots of competition for that title).

But whereas Hamas is signaling change, Israel's leadership is recalcitrant. In reaction to the development in the relations between the Hamas and Fatah, Israel's prime minister, Netanyahu, has repeated his refusal to speak with Fatah if they unite with Hamas. It is unfortunate that while Israel's harshest enemy is scaling down violence and preparing itself for an historical shift, Israel's leaders are rehashing their old slogans. This is not the time to discard diplomatic opportunities. Rather, it is time to put such developments to the test and check if they can transform the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Yes, it's all Israel's fault because we won't negotiate with a terror organization that doesn't want to talk to us and doesn't accept our 'right to exist' in any place and under any circumstances.

In Israel, this passes for 'academic scholarship.' Keep that in mind the next time that BGU comes calling for money.

Labels: Ben Gurion University, Hamas, moonbats

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:47 PM