Hamas: Behind the Mask

[Asonokirk V 2.0]

I watched a Discovery Times documentary on Hamas this morning, and was exposed to information of which I was unaware prior to seeing the show. On it, the documentary crew interviewed Hamas leaders, and Israeli intelligence. These were the actual men who run the show, and they were all thoughtful and intelligent, and sincere.

Unfortunately, several things became apparent. One is that the Palestinians do not separate politics and religion. Another is that not all Palestinians share the same opinions, but the more moderate voices tend to be drowned out. A third thing is that most of the violence between the Palestinians and Israelis is the result of a desire, by both sides, for revenge.

I also have come to understand that terrorism, as we understand it, is not happening for any one particular reason. Terrorist acts are motivated by different reasons, by different groups of people. That one fact alone makes me want to consider if our "War on Terror" is a rational policy.

This show gave me a lot to think about. It made me want to find out more about the way those who believe in and practice Islamic Law think and feel. None of the people interviewed talked about their feelings, only what they were doing from a practical perspective. There was no hatred of anything or anyone expressed in words by anyone interviewed. What was apparent is that both sides are locked into rigid mindsets, and are yet to be willing to seriously consider alternatives.

[The Sym]

Yes, you learn alot from watching these program. You learn more by watching program from BBC, EU World news, the Kremlin News, Arab Al-Jazar, China, Japan, Brazilian TV, Greater Nubia, Business in India, African World News, and so on. From their point of view. It's good however you are watching, unlike most who don't even watch the local news, yet alone, documentary and news programs like what you speak of.

However, Palestinians are no more terrorist than the U.S., Japanese in WWII, China, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Romans, Greeks, Persians, Gingis Khan, Celtics, Scandenavians(probably spelled wrong), Babylonians, Christians, Hindus, Buddist, IRA, Nazis SS, KGB.... I can go on and on and on. That's man's nature in war and conquest..... from a female point of view of course.

[Space Tycoon]

Wait a minute. I thought we established you weren't female? :smirks:

Anyway, you're quite right. US bombers dropped thousands of pounds of hellfire on German and Japanese cities during World War II. On one night alone, US firebombs killed 100,000 Tokyo residents. Israeli missiles and bombs inevitably hit innocent civilians during these so-called "targeted" assassinations. Russian forces have acted towards the Chechen people in a manner that can only be described as barbaric. And on and on.

Terror is often a point of view.

As far as Hamas' electoral success, well clearly many of the Palestinians do not share their religionist ideology, but were fed up with the stupendous corruption of Fatah. I like to tell people that the Palestinians voted Hamas for the same reasons Canadians recently voted Conservative. We were simply fed up with being taken for granted.




.

[Asonokirk V 2.0]

As I see it, there are two major scenarios that must happen in order for there to be a true and lasting peace in the region.

1. The Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world accepts Israel as a part of their political hegemony in the region, and even become willing to seek ways to cooperate economically and politically with them eventually.

2. Israel must be willing to allow borders to be drawn up that are acceptable to the Palestinians, and be willing to place no restrictions on Palestinians who wish to be citizens of Israel. Israel must be willing to accept that they simply cannot wall themselves off from their Arab neighbors, and that they must be willing to seek compromise and be willing to make possibly painful concessions.

Israel is going to have to take the high road. They must realize there cannot be peace without sacrifice, and that sacrifice may be hard.

This is my opinion only, based on the knowledge I have.

[Space Tycoon]

Remember I was saying that we may find ourselves having to decide to live with some sort of fundamentalist Islam? Well, it looks as though Hamas and other groups may just be beginning to tak the first steps towards dissociating themselves from al-Qaeda and the apocalyptic bin Laden:


Rift Grows Between al-Qaida, Muslim Groups




.

[Asonokirk V 2.0]

Originally Posted by Space Tycoon

Remember I was saying that we may find ourselves having to decide to live with some sort of fundamentalist Islam? Well, it looks as though Hamas and other groups may just be beginning to tak the first steps towards dissociating themselves from al-Qaeda and the apocalyptic bin Laden:


Rift Grows Between al-Qaida, Muslim Groups




.

That article supports what I said about terrorism based on watching the show. That there isn't one reason for it, and it isn't originating from one source. For example, Hamas doesn't have the same agenda as al-Qaida.