Russia has done it again! The ex Soviet Union has left a legacy of placating Israel’s enemies in the past. Why should we show surprise at Russia’s President Vladimir Putin when he makes overtures to Hamas by inviting the Hamas leadership to Russia? This legacy is continuing! Surely, this is the beginning of the legitimization of Hamas! It seems as if some countries are waiting in the shadows for a power within the Quartet to make the first overture. This has occurred and it will result in cracks in the so-called determination of Europe not to recognize Hamas until it lays down its arms and recognizes Israel’s right to exist. Countries in line for recognizing Hamas as the representatives of the Palestinians are (not unexpectedly) Iran, China, Syria and Sudan. Those countries in the wings are Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar who are having talks with the Hamas leadership. This tendency of recognition will snow ball and the West will slide into the expediency of accepting Hamas despite the dangers that lurk in this strategy.
As the situation stands, the US, Great Britain and France still express opposition to Hamas and indications are that they will remain steadfast in that. France may disappoint all by finding a reason for negotiating with Hamas in the end as she had done with previous terror groups. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, speaking at the news conference with Putin, said Madrid would support Russia's peace initiatives. This surprising behaviour does not leave Israel with much hope in trusting Russia’s strategy, which appears to be rather devious. While the world accepts Hamas’s electoral victory in the Palestinian election and this in itself grants her the status of being the representatives of the Palestinian People for good or bad. A similar parallel occurred in Germany in 1933 when the German People elected the Nazi Party under Hitler. The Nazis had used the democratic institutions of Germany in order to gain power. Afterwards they abolished these institutions by oppressing the opposition and establishing a one-party state thus destroying democracy. The destruction of the small spark of democracy resulting in Hamas’s electoral victory is a strong possibility. If there are parallels between Nazi Germany and Hamas rule in Palestine, signs of the appeasement of the latter observed by Putin’s attitude towards hosting Hamas is similar to the appeasement of Hitler policy of late PM Neville Chamberlain of Great Britain in 1938 when he signed the Munich Agreement.
Russia seems to overlook the support that Hamas had given to the Moslem Chechen rebels who fought the Russian Army. Putin does not regard Hamas as a terrorist organization. The logic of Vladimir Putin’s attitude towards Hamas is odd and complex. Perhaps he does not see Hamas as a threat to Russian interests. If Russia was responsible in supplying Iran with nuclear expertise then we must see their attitude towards Hamas within that context. Russia’s economy is in the doldrums and perhaps this is their way of trying to gain influence in rogue regimes such as Iran and possibly Hamas ruled Palestine as well. Perhaps this is Russia’s way of trying to regain influence in the Middle East conflict, which serves its interests.
Those who support Hamas fail to realize that Hamas is a fascist group who wishes to destroy Israel. Hamas is a terrorist organization that will destroy the pseudo-democracy that put them into power. The Palestinian people will not benefit from the election of Hamas and its uncompromising attitude towards peace with Israel. Those countries that appease Hamas are doing a disservice towards peace between Israel and the Palestinians. It will only strengthen the resolve of Hamas to continue its terrorist activity against Israel. Hamas has not shown any signs of change in attitude towards recognizing Israel’s right to exist or giving up the “armed struggle” for Palestinian independence, which in simple terms means a Palestinian State that replaces Israel.
The lip service paid towards strengthening President Mahmoud Abbas is a non-starter. He represents nobody. His party has lost the Palestinian Elections and propping him up artificially will not achieve anything apart from further antagonism towards Israel. He did not receive a mandate from the Palestinian people to form the next Government. He had done nothing to curb terror attacks against Israel in the past and he will not disarm Hamas and its ally, Islamic Jihad, in the future.
Perhaps change can come from outside pressure by boycotting the Palestinian Authority the moment Hamas takes over from the interim period of anarchy that is present now. Israel, for her part, could take drastic measures by cutting off electricity and water supplies to Hamas ruled Palestine if Hamas continues to encourage terror against Israel. Why should Israel supply the Hamas regime with essential services when they sponsor Qassam rocket fire into Israel as well as other terrorist acts?
