Ex-president Jimmy carter is right. He says that Israel and the US are making a big mistake by treating Hamas as a pariah while mollycoddling an undeserving Fatah, despite the fact that Hamas won the Palestine elections fair and square.
Recent events have proved that Hamas is ideologically committed and militarily stronger than the pampered Fatah. But Hamas continues to be ignored. Hamas is willing for talks with Fatah and even with Israel, if they acts sensibly and accommodatingly. Israel has acted stubbornly till now and has antagonised most Palestinians. The danger is if US and Israel continue to ignore Hamas, they will only drive it into the arms of Al Qaeda.
Hamas’ priority is Palestine, not the establishment of Shariah globally.
This is what irritates Al Qaeda, which would love to turn Hamas towards mindless violence against the West. Considering the battle hardened committed fighters that Hamas has, it would be an added nightmare for the world.
Al Qaeda is not leaving any stone unturned in convincing Hamas to join forces with it. Abu Yahya al-Libi, the most visible face of Al Qaeda has been exhorting Hamas to push the Palestinian cause to priority two and give precedence to the aims of al Qaeda. Al-libi has been addressing the military wing of Hamas directly, hoping to divide the organisation.
It is high time US and Israel change course in their Palestine strategy and start talking to Hamas leaders. Time is running out.
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