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Hamas and Gaza..Martyrs versus Traitors
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by 158 | February 6, 2009 at 12:53 pm
290 views | 10 Recommendations | 12 comments
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This is a good look at what the
future could be in the Middle
East in the next 2 generations.
If the Palestinian cause is permanently lost to the Islamist movement, theocratic reactionaries across the region could finally acquire the broad political legitimacy and nationalist credentials that might enable them to begin to seriously threaten existing governments.
The United States and Israel must now choose which Palestinians, and indeed what kind of Arab world, they want to deal with: one in which forces of moderation have a fighting chance to rebuild political legitimacy and credibility; or one in which the political imagination is completely dominated by the myth of the Martyrs versus the Traitors.
If the Islamists win this
battle for public support
the Middle East could
have a huge regional war
in the future...............
This article is an editorial from al Arabia, making it their opinion. Though I agree with most of their points, it is not my words. The comments inbetween the blocks of their story are my words.
The recent conflict in Gaza has the potential of becoming a transformative political event in the Middle East that allows Islamists to capture the Arab political imagination for at least a generation. Along with their familiar appeals to religious and cultural "authenticity," and dubious claims regarding good governance and democracy, Islamists are beginning to consolidate an exclusive claim to the most powerful Arab political symbols: Palestine and nationalism.
Few observers in the West evince a full understanding of the unprecedented cultural and political impact of Israel's attack on Gaza.
Their goal seems to be
to convert the entire
Middle East to Islamic
rule.
In this mythology, the present Arab world is defined by a conflict between "the Martyrs," which are led by the Islamist movement and its allies, and "the Traitors," which include most if not all Arab governments, especially the Palestinian Authority, but also the governments in Lebanon (other than the ministers appointed by or allied with Hizbullah), Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The general public, especially when it becomes swept up in violent conflict, counts among the ranks of the Martyrs, but Islamist parties and militias are its vanguard.
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158
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Recommendations (10)
René
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Yellow Guitar
Calgary, Canada
tikun
Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (12)
at 13:19 on February 6th, 2009
Excellent story, thanks for posting.
Just an observation, probably not helpful, but when I see Islamic fundamentalism today I see a parellel with the church in the late Middle Ages. If you substitute the word 'heretics' for 'traitors' and 'Islamist' for 'Catholic' you'd have the Inquisition nail on the head. What the world needs is an Islamic reformer like Martin Luther... Of course the 'heroes/martyrs' of the Inquisition didn't blow themselves up (more's the pity) like their unmodern Islamic counterparts. End rant.
at 13:20 on February 6th, 2009
Great report. This is a real problem. Until the West understands and is willing to support moderation then the extreme elements will win out. It is constantly reported in the local papers of the tacit support by all the Arab countries near by for Israel to destroy Hamas-Iranian axis. They are petrified of Iranian influence in the region. Outwardly they trash Israel which is not particularly pleasant and are always pissed off when Israel doesn't finish the job. Killing civilians isn't exactly their concern. All one has to do is google for Jordan, Syria and Egypt and read about the masscres that have taken place over time by the respective governements. They have zero toleration for terror organizations in their countries. Oh Well, no one ever said it would be easy. Money seems to talk when it comes to supplying Iran banned supplies by EU nations. Not very promising.
at 13:22 on February 6th, 2009
Thanks, good comment.
Religion, properly used is a great force for good.
Improperly used it is a great force for evil.
at 13:27 on February 6th, 2009
One hope is oil will run out in a generation, giving them less leverage.
I agree with you. The west--ie, US and EU, need to work with Arab governments to resolve this issue. There must be a free Palestine and a free Israel and they must live in peace.
Everything else should be negotiable.
This may come to re installing Fatah in Gaza by force.
at 13:47 on February 6th, 2009
Likely in a generation I will be either dead or very old so either way no problem for me.
NO You mix up two separate comments Agreed, negotiated peace with compromises on both sides is ideal. Chances of that in 10 years 0.00176%
This recent war shows the high unlikelihood that Hamas and Israel-whoever you blame- can coexist in peace.
If there is another invasion Israel may overthrow Hamas. That would require a year occupation. IF Fatah could in that year, with massive international aid-50-100 billion$--rebuild and bring other in parties it could be the least bad option.
Abbas is bankrupt, Hamas murders critics, so who is left, Netanyahu?
at 15:00 on February 6th, 2009
at 15:43 on February 6th, 2009
Ah, but they do. You must be referring to peoples who actually have some honor.
at 14:31 on February 6th, 2009
I don't give out personal information but IF I have children now they would be full adults in 30 years. And I would be too old to take care of them.
NO. US and Canada will survive well without oil. And there is enough in shale and tar sands to bridge to alternatives, though at a higher price. Even if the US/Canada standard of living dropped 50% we would still be well off by world standards, maybe longer to travel, transport, and expensive but no begging in the streets.
I have long know the implications of Israel and have said often the US standing in the world would improve greatly if it abandoned Israel.
Your ME outlook is dismal but I suspect close to reality.
at 15:22 on February 6th, 2009
Real Muslim fighters do not hide in holes like rats when they face someone with weapons, nor do real Muslims hide in fear behind women and children.
at 15:30 on February 6th, 2009
counter argument.
Hamas, their allies, and their supporters are different than us in the civilized world, they are below the dirt in our shoes… . They
at 13:03 on February 7th, 2009
in response to AmyJudd above, and the 'story' ethic here in general...
putting up a couple of terrorist retro fashion photos and an ayatollah for good measure.
AmyJudd, what does that have to do with journalism other than some perosnal letter the editor or op/ed section at best.
the use of euphemistic conditional auxiliary words like 'seem' and could' don't strengthen the journalistic news merit of this 'story' as you, AmyJudd, state in your reply as NowPublic staff editor.
on the contrary, such indecisive wording as 'could' and seem' as wel as this 'story' author's own attribution of part of this story being 'opinion', would lead from a generally accepted journalist ethics stance - NOT new, but a personal Opinion at best.
i would back the other replies up with the request that this be moved to Opinion.
oh, and one more thing, NowPublic staff editor, AmyJudd,
i don't know if you checked the source that this 'story' refers to on alarabiya.net.
but if you did, you would find as well that the source of this 'story' if NOT filed under news on their site, but under 'Views' that is their Op-Ed section on alarabiya.net.
that as well counter arguments the claim of NowPublic staff editor AmyJudd above as to why he or she decides to leave this Opinion piece in NowPublic news.
please i have taken time to in great detail document why the above 'story' is NOT News but Opinion from the sources it refers to being filed Not as news but as Opinion, to the 'story' author's own reference to Opinion content as well as the personally undecidedness of the 'story' vocabulary, the musing words like 'could' and 'seem'.
please file this opinion piece correctly. thank you AmyJudd.
at 14:09 on February 7th, 2009
As you agree with most of their points - this is an editorial piece and so needs the opinion flag.