UPDATE at the bottom...
This November 29th, the UN General Assembly will vote on upgrading Palestine to non-member status. On 11/29/47, the UN General Assembly voted to divide Palestine.
http://www.gregfelton.com/int_politics/2011_07_22.htm
The moment Israel stops being Israel it becomes Palestine.
^^^^^^^
Hamas was formally created in 1987 (25 years ago), and before that Hamas founder
Sheikh Yassin's Islamist activities had been externally supported since
the 1970s.
https://www.smalldemons.com/persons/politicians/Ahmed_Yassin
Hamas is a creation of the Mossad -- CIRCA 2002 article:
Thanks to the Mossad, Israel's "Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks", the Hamas was allowed to reinforce its presence in the occupied territories. Meanwhile, Arafat's Fatah Movement for National Liberation as well as the Palestinian Left were subjected to the most brutal form of repression and intimidation
Let us not forget that it was Israel, which in fact created Hamas. According to Zeev Sternell, historian at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, "Israel thought that it was a smart ploy to push the Islamists against the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO)".
Golda Meir
Back in the 1970s, Israeli PM Golda Meir began authorizing monies to fund an Islamist movement -- Yassin's -- to push against the PLO, to compete with and weaken the PLO via schools, health clinics, jobs run by the Islamist movement.
...when the Intifada (‘uprising’) began, in October 1987, which took the Islamists by surprise, Sheik [Ahmad] Yassin responded by creating the Hamas (The Islamic Resistance Movement)...The Hamas had built its strength through its various acts of sabotage of the peace process, in a way which was compatible with the interests of the Israeli government. In turn, the latter sought in a number of ways, to prevent the application of the Oslo accords. In other words, Hamas was fulfilling the functions for which it was originally created: to prevent the creation of a Palestinian State. And in this regard, Hamas and Ariel Sharon, see eye to eye; they are exactly on the same wave length.
To be clear, the 2002 analysis says Hamas was originally created to prevent the creation of a Palestinian State.
Click through for the details
.
Has the goal of Hamas changed?
COLLATERAL DAMAGE?
http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2012/11/16/israel-s-operation-pillar-of-cloud
Sheikh Ahmad Yassin was assassinated by Israel in March 2004. Reportedly, Ariel Sharon himself ordered the hit.
By killing the spiritual leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement,
Israel wanted to deal a deadly blow to Hamas, however the act had
backfired. Israel granted Sheikh Yassin his greatest wish, gave
unprecedented boost to the resistance movement in occupied Palestine,
and made of him a resistance icon in the Arab and Islamic worlds.
The Israeli assassination of Yassin "backfired" by giving an unprecedented boost to the conflict that Israel needs to go on forever and ever and ever.
Win win win.
Israel just last week assassinated another Hamas leader, Ahmad Jabari,
just as he was negotiating a permanent truce with Israel. This will "backfire" too, giving an unprecedented boost to the conflict that Israel needs to go on forever and ever and ever.
The conflict that prevents Palestinian statehood from coming.
Ahmad Jabari, image from telegraph.co.uk
Hamas actions will make things harder for Abbas as he pursues non-state membership for Palestine in the UN, with a vote on 11/29/12.
Israeli official: Palestinian statehood appeal to UN would nullify peace deals
Israel's vice premier says the Palestinians would violate their peace
accords with Israel by seeking recognition of an independent state of
Palestine at the United Nations. Moshe Yaalon told Army Radio on Wednesday that Israel
would "have to take steps to make it clear that there will be heavy
price" if the Palestinians go ahead with their plan to petition the U.N.
General Assembly for statehood on Nov. 29. He said it would be a
"flagrant" breach of the accords of the early 1990s but stopped short of
saying they would be rendered void. But another official said
Israel was sending out the message to world leaders that it would
consider the accords nullified if the statehood bid goes ahead. He spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential comments.
Israel would take steps? Such as war on Gaza? War with Hamas? Hamas which was created to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state?
Khaled Mechaal
image from: lexpress.fr
Thierry Meyssan writes about the timing:
Why a New War on Gaza?
Two of the points made:
- Possibly this will resurrect an old plan to transfer the Palestinians to Jordan, thus evacuating and annexing their territory. "In this case, the military operation must not target all Hamas leaders
indiscriminately, but only those who oppose the former political head of
the organisation, Khaled Mechaal, since he is slated to become the first
President of a Palestinian State in Jordan."
- The Syrian war has caused economic hardship in Jordan, leading to protests supervised by the Muslim Brotherhood, to follow other Arab takeovers in Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. "The best-known member of the Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood is Khaled
Mechaal, the ex-chief of the political branch of Hamas. Mechaal lived in
exile from 2001 to 2012 in Damascus, under the protection of the Syrian
state. In February 2012, he sudddenly accused Bashar al-Assad’s
government of repressing his own people, and chose to move to Qatar,
where Emir Hamad al-Thani showed him great generosity."

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/middle-east/jordan/
Other Hamas leaders appear to have been targeted for assassination.
TEHRAN (FNA)- The residence and offices of a number of Hamas leaders
were identified during the recent visit to the Gaza Strip by Qatar's
King Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and later targeted by Israeli
missile and bomb attacks, informed sources disclosed. The emir of Qatar gifted a number of watches and ballpoint pens to Hamas
leaders, which transmitted low-frequency signals to Israeli satellites,
the sources, who asked to remain unnamed due to the sensitivity of the
information, told FNA, adding that the Israeli military officials would
then use the received signals to spot and assassinate senior Hamas
officials.
Qatar Sheikh Hamad
http://en.mercopress.com/2010/10/25/qatar-interested-in-buying-christie-s-to-help-with-kingdom-s-museum-collection
"In the past year alone, Qatar, through its sovereign wealth fund, has taken a 10-percent in Volkswagen AG, bought famed London department store Harrods, acquired Singapore's historic Raffles hotel as well as the landmark US embassy building in London."
PRESUMABLY the Israeli military only assassinated the Hamas officials who were not on their payroll, or who were no longer cooperating. Presumably, Mr. Mechaal is on the payroll and will not be assassinated.
Hamas, like any large organization, has many people. Some of the people are honest. Some of them have hidden agendas.
How Israel actually helps Hamas, by Erin Cunningham 11/15/12
Five years ago Hamas won the Palestinian legislative lections, then
seized power in Gaza after a brief civil war with its rival, Fatah.
Sworn enemies of Israel, Hamas and the tiny, beleaguered territory they
inherited were quickly placed under onerous international trade
sanctions.
But instead of crippling Hamas’ rule, the years-long blockade has
turned the movement into a wealthy enterprise with a far-reaching tax
regime and widespread investments.
Hamas’ wealth has helped it win some local support, but the group’s
mafia-style intrusion into sub-sectors of Gaza’s economy has frustrated
others. Hamas leaders have positioned themselves as overlords of the
territory’s business transactions.
In an effort to pressure Hamas, Israel often closes border crossings,
choking off traditional commercial routes. This has allowed Hamas to
consolidate control over smuggling tunnels under the Egyptian border.
“The traditional businessmen of Gaza, the traditional landowners, and
the traditional [influential] families have all disappeared” in the
past few years, said Eyad Sarraj, a Gazan psychiatrist and rights
activist who also served as a consultant to the Palestinian delegation
at the 2000 Camp David Accords.
“They are being replaced by new businessmen, new leaders and new
families — families from the villages from where Hamas leaders come,” he
said. “The big umbrella of power [in Gaza] today is Hamas. If you are
under that umbrella, you can have some power.”
The full extent of Hamas’ financial empire remains unclear, as it
hides much of its funding — including cash from patron states abroad —
from scrutiny. But the movement is considerably better off than it was
five years ago.
Let's recap that:
OVERLORDS of the territory's business transactions...
Using mafia-style intrusions into sub-sections of the economy...
To create a wide ranging financial enterprise...
An organization that benefited from the brutal Israeli blockade policy...
And supplanted traditional influential families...
And employs secrecy about foreign funding...
We are talking about Hamas here.
Hamas controls all the tunnels, one way or another. There are perhaps 400 main tunnels and 1000 subsidiary tunnels. Tens of thousands are employed by Hamas. Hamas controls economic life in Gaza. Hamas taxes
every item that comes into Gaza through the tunnels.
Gaza tunnel trade: Matter of life and death for Hamas
A well-informed Palestinian source, speaking to
Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity, revealed that “the Hamas
tunnel belongs to the [Hamas] movement, and Hamas affiliates are
employed there, and this tunnel specializes in the smuggling and
importing of special goods for the Hamas movement, including cars and
arms.” He added that Hamas elements also uses the tunnel network to
enter and exit the Gaza Strip.
As for the public tunnels, the
source stressed that “these are owned by ordinary people, and they have
partners, sometimes Egyptian Bedouins” adding “these tunnels are subject
to Hamas supervision and specialize in the smuggling of goods and
commodities.”
Hamas views the tunnels as a matter of life and
death, whilst the Palestinian Authority [PA] – based in the West Bank –
supports their closure and destruction. The PA has claimed that 600 new
millionaires have made their fortunes thanks to the tunnels, at the
expense of thousands of ordinary workers who are risking their lives.
As noted, Hamas employs many people. People who are trying to survive in Gaza.
Gaza
http://ourwikiworld.blogspot.com/2010/07/amazing-facts-about-gaza-never-known.html
That is no reason not to scrutinize Hamas.
The US military employs many people. The FBI employs many people. The intelligence and police services employ many people. Corporations employ many people. Media companies employ many people.
So what. Do we not scrutinize organizations because we work for them, because our loved ones work for them? Because they pay us? Because they do some good things? In fact, it makes sense to scrutinize organizations all the more if we are giving our labor to them. In fact, many large organizations are full of corruption.
Some people don't do that. We understand. Are all these people corrupt? No. Many people are trying to survive, to pay their bills. People are trying to survive all over the world, and especially in Gaza. They remain COMPARTMENTALIZED. But certainly, many people in the US military, in the FBI, in the intelligence and police services, in corporations and media companies are certainly corrupt, and work for organized crime.
And Hamas, no doubt, has some corrupt people too, people who seem to be part of organized crime.
And why wouldn't this be so, given that Gaza is located in the WORLD HUB OF ORGANIZED CRIME?
We just want to suggest that we should notice these details.
The NYT tells us that, regrettably, the Palestinian Authority is losing credibility, and regrettably, Hamas is gaining popularity.
The West Bank, aka Little Bantustan
under control of the Palestine Authority
shredded by Israeli settlements and roads
"Gaza crisis poses threat to faction favored by US."
The Gaza truce talks in Cairo, involving
Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, offer a telling tableau. The Palestinian leader
seen there is not Mr. Abbas, but Khaled Meshal,
the leader of the militant group Hamas, who seeks to speak for all
Palestinians as his ideological brothers in the Muslim Brotherhood rise
to power around the region.
Israel is also threatening Mr. Abbas, even hinting that it may give up on him, as he prepares to go to the United Nations General Assembly on Nov. 29 to try to upgrade the Palestinian status
to that of a nonmember state. The Israelis consider this step an act of
aggression, and even some Palestinians say it is somewhat beside the
point at this stage.
The Hamas leader Meshal, allied with the MB, is meeting with the other tools from Egypt, Turkey and Qatar. Meantime Israel threatens Abbas over the statehood issue. And which part of this cabal
is not supported by the US? Just Mr. Abbas.
Many Palestinians believe that Israel launched its latest operation in
Gaza to block the Palestinian Authority’s United Nations plans by
embarrassing it. Israeli officials say that is ridiculous: the
operation’s purpose is to stop the growing number of rockets being fired
at their communities, and Israelis interrupted their deliberations over
the United Nations bid to wage the military campaign.
It is not about the damn rockets. Palestinian statehood is the issue. The UN General Assembly vote on 11/29 is the issue.
See:
win one lose one
See:
the trough so deep
See:
getting ready to solve more problems
See:
unintended consequences piling up
See:
Bosnia in the hot seat
See:
opening salvo in London
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
UPDATE: 11/21/12
We think this term
"DURABLE OUTCOME" term used by Hillary Clinton is mighty interesting.
"The goal must be a durable outcome that promotes regional stability and advances the security and legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians alike," Hillary told reporters in a joint media availability with Netanyahu here - her first stop in her current visit to the region.
We could be wrong but that term has not been tossed about until now. Durable. Hmm. Sounds like Final Solution stuff.
"They briefed her on the situation in Gaza and the threat posed by continuing rocket fire to Israeli cities and towns. The Secretary offered condolences for Israeli citizens killed and wounded in attacks today and over the past several days," Nuland said in Washington. Ahead of her meeting with Netanyahu, Hillary told reporters that Obama has emphasised on "durable outcome" in his multiple conversations with the Egyptian President.
Clinton and Nuland, State Department
The Jewess Nuland speaks. The threat? Continuing rocket fire to Israeli cities and towns. Regrettably nothing ever seems to stop that problem. No one can control those damn rockets. The poor Israeli citizens get the apology from Clinton. Does anyone apologize to the Palestinians who suffer ten thousand percent more? We must have missed that part. Obama also mentions the DURABLE OUTCOME in his conversations with Morsi. Clinton will now consult with Abbas.
She said the US would work with its partners in Israel and across the region towards an outcome that bolsters security for the people of Israel, improves conditions for the people of Gaza, and moves toward a comprehensive peace for all people of the region....Following the meeting, Nuland said in a statement issued in Washington that Hillary and Netanyahu discussed efforts to de-escalate the situation and bring about a sustainable outcome that protects Israel's security and improves the lives of civilians in Gaza.
We note the language.
What could be more durable than getting the Palestinians out of Gaza forever?
We note that moving the Palestinians to another location would be a SOLUTION that fits this language.
If one accepts the goals as presented, and they sound so nice and reasonable, one can then be pressured to accept a SOLUTION which meets those goals. Well if you don't, you obviously don't CRAVE PEACE & YEARN FOR PEACE?? Note that the goals do not mention anything specifically that the Palestinians would stay in Gaza. The goal is just to IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS FOR THE PEOPLE OF GAZA.
Presumably, that could be accomplished by MOVING THE PEOPLE OF GAZA somewhere else. Somewhere with better conditions. The Palestinians have been conditioned to get on the move by those sweet pamphlets that the IOF helpfully dumped on them from airplanes.
Perhaps they can move to Jordan? Perhaps, since
King Abdullah of Jordan is now coming under the threat of the Arab Spring, he could be persuaded to make a huge concession and be a hero and allow a Palestinian state to be established in Jordan... ? And then he could stay in power and Khaled Meshaal could be the leader of the Palestinians?
WIN WIN WIN???
Obama and Netanyahu are the presidents who magically resolve the problem, after all these years? OH the Legacy... The intractable problem finally solved.....?
The Palestinians in Gaza get IMPROVED CONDITIONS? And the Israelis get SECURITY? And the people of the region get a COMPREHENSIVE PEACE?? Everyone is So Happy?
OH, and, by the way, Israel would get control over those OIL AND GAS DEPOSITS OFF THE COAST OF GAZA?
This is about DIVIDE AND CONQUER. Except in this case, there is an extra step required because the Palestinians have been so difficult to subdue, and they keep having babies: DISPLACE.
Israel divided the Palestinians physically into two distinct areas, the West Bank and Gaza. CHECK. They divided the Palestinians politically as well. Hamas in Gaza, the Palestine Authority in the West Bank. CHECK.
Still, they have not been able to conquer the Palestinians.
In order to conquer and get the land, they need to move those pesky Palestinians out. Especially out of Gaza, because of the offshore oil and gas deposits. Blockades and punishment for Gaza, settlers and checkpoints for the West Bank.
Israel's "adversary" in Gaza is Hamas. The negotiations go between Israel and Hamas. The negotiations go back and forth, but the destination seems to be appearing on the horizon now: is that a Palestinian state in Jordan...?
Huh, is that paradise we see off in the distance?
Paradise for whom?
Anyone who has sailed knows that when you head into the wind, you have to tack back and forth to get to your destination.
That is what we see from here. We could be too far away, or we could be just the right distance.