There is nothing about the current military conflict in Gaza which is not tragic and disturbing. The immediate consequences for the people of Gaza of the fighting between Hamas and Israel are yet more distress and suffering, compounding the humanitarian disaster in which they have been living for years.
But this is not a conflict made in Israel. We may criticise Israel for settlements on the West Bank; for the ugly and imposing security barrier which it has constructed; for the roadblocks and checkpoints which cause so much disruption to the economy and daily lives of Palestinians on the West Bank. But the blame for the current misery of Gaza lies squarely with its own leaders.
Just as NATO would not allow Afghanistan, under the Taliban, to provide a platform for international terrorists like Al Quadea, so Israel cannot be expected to allow Hamas to construct a terrorist statelet in Gaza and use it as a base for continous attacks on its people. No government which takes seriously its responsibility to protect its citizens would do otherwise.
As many people suspected all along, the six month ceasefire between Israel and Hamas (which Hamas broke on 19th December) was merely another opportunity for rearmament and restrengthening. It was also a period for Hamas to extend its propaganda war, especially in European capital cities.
Their claim to western media that they are seeking peaceful co-existence alongside Israel and that the daily rocket attacks on Israeli civilians are merely in response to military action by Israel is a preposterous lie. Rejection and destruction of Israel is a core element of the Hamas ideology. In its twenty years of existence it has established a menacing track record in carrying out terrorist atrocities. It also provides cover for groups like Islamic Jihad to carry out their own attacks, especially at times when Hamas agrees to a ceasefire, and refuses to follow the peace track being pursued by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Alongside the generals of Burma and the gangster regime of Robert Mugabe, the Hamas administration in Gaza must surely rank as one of the most odious political authorities anywhere in the world. At a time when the international community is working harder than ever to eradicate the use of child soldiers, Hamas continues to 'educate' Palestinian children in hate and martyrdom theology. It has launched murderous attacks on humanitarian convoys bringing aid into Gaza from Israel and deliberately shields its weaponry behind innocent civilians. The peace, welfare and fundamental human rights of Palestinians are not safe under Hamas.
But in recent months and years they have made progress in their campaign to win over the sympathies of European politicians and officials. They have refined their message and polished their performance in front of European audiences and have found some willing listeners. As a consequence there are increasing calls for negotiation with Hamas, even though Hamas continues to reject the Quartet Principles which underpin the Middle East peace process. I have heard several Arab diplomats speak privately in scathing terms about Hamas and wondered what it is about Hamas that some sections of the media and Westminster village are just not seeing.
William Hague is absolutely right to emphasise that a decisive Israeli military victory, if it comes, will not amount to a final settlement of the Gaza or wider Palestinian questions. The military offensive must be supported by a credible political strategy. Based on their track-record and current stance, it is difficult to see how Hamas can ever be a party to such a desperately-needed settlement.
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