"More of the Same" in Palestine

Israel Frees 159 Palestinians; Abbas Wants More Out

By Mohammed Assadi , Ramallah, West Bank (Reuters)

Mata Musing

It appears neither the death of Arafat, nor the building of the infamous "wall", promises much hope for the ever-on-going Palestinian/Israel conflict. Despite Israeli goodwill gestures in releasing 159 prisoners, Mahmoud Abbas deems the act not a "serious release process".

As usual, no matter what Israel does, it is never enough.

Captain Ed at Captain's Quarters , eloquently expounds his perspectives... that being either Abbas is playing it smart by avoiding a compromise platform prior to the Jan 9th elections, or that this is indicative of a continuing path of Arafat's policies for sundry reasons including personal gain. Personally I think it's the latter - but for none of the possibilities mentioned by Capt. Ed.

Mind you, it's not because I believe Abbas is hell bent on continuing the intifada of violence. Rather I see it as a perpetuation of events that indicate no leader who desires peace with Israel can pull the Hamas network together under the banner of compromise. Secondly, no leader who choses to battle with Hamas, forcing them to accept compromise, will live to be elected or serve.

And most notable, Hamas does not want to play the game by the rules...

It was only the beginning of December when Hamas announced the intention of the membership to boycott the presidential election because they did not include legislative or municipal elections as well. Instead they are "demanding a share of power in an interim post-Arafat leadership and a parliamentary election to be held in 2005."

Let's see... they don't want to participate, but they are "demanding a share of power" in the interim. Now that's hutzpuh.

Excuses excuses. That's all this blather comes down to. This might be the time to point out Hamas also boycotted the 1996 elections. Their excuse back then was because " it was a result of interim peace deals with Israel. Hamas opposes peace talks and is committed to Israel's destruction."

Has much changed in their attitude towards Israel since 1996? I think not. Despite whatever lame song and dance they may come up with for bowing out of participation this time, their fundamental objections remain consistant - no tolerance of Israel and Jews.

Could it be they are afraid to put this to a national test? Afterall, if they refuse and boycott, they can't admit to themselves and to the world that their extreme, uncompromising views are a minority amongst Palestinians.

Hamas knows their support comes from select pockets of Palestinian territory, and their candidates will fare better in local elections. According to the latest PA news, unofficial results were Fatah winning 12 councils while Hamas and Independents each took 7.

Hamas, however, claims 13 councils out of the 26..

The thus far unofficial results are more than a tad vague. The published list of winners does not detail which political party the elected officials represent. This is because according to Palestinian law, the candidates were elected as individuals, not as party representatives.

Hamas, however, touts the results as an "outstanding success" saying "The 26 localities were selected from the strongholds of Fatah. So the results should have been more for Fatah than Hamas."

If Israeli gestures are continually met with disdain, and Hamas wins the support of West Bank/Gaza Strip Palestinians, the Israelis are left only with "the wall" as a semblence of peace.

The very notion of a wall is odd to me. Quite contrary with historical records. Afterall, we spent 40 some odd years in the attempts to tear the Berlin Wall down. Yet now another is constructed to the delight of many. Three steps forward, five steps back. Have we learned nothing?

It makes no difference whether a wall is constructed to hold populations in for the purpose of oppression, or to keep undesirables out for protection. The bottom line is segregation and isolation are not a cure for the ailment of hate. Since few who relish freedom will be content to live their lives out in a fortress, over time the resentment of being walled in is just as debilitating to the notion of peace as the terrorist assaults themselves. What good can possibly come out of a wall?

While the very presence of the wall may make it physically more difficult for the suicide bombers to achieve their goals, terrorists have demonstrated themselves to be a plucky lot, adapting to each obstacle erected by the forces of freedom. If a terrorist is dedicated to destruction, no amount of earth and stone will stop them. The game plan will merely be adjusted for the new rules.

And for those hoping against hope that new Palestinian leadership will ease the path to peace? Hope is good... always continue to hope. But I suspect it will only come to fruition by a Palestinian leader willing to tame his own terrorist population before making nice with the neighbors.