One might almost feel sorry for Yussef Al-Zahar. He is part of the Hamas-controlled "executive force” in recently de-occupied Gaza. After the withdrawal of the Israeli armed forces he says “We have to expect anything…It's a battle of the gangsters now."
His brother was a founder member of Hamas and the one time “moderate” nationalist Al-Zahar is now part of their 5,000 strong paramilitary force hoping to prevent a slide into civil warfare akin to Somalia. Defeated in the recent elections the previous ruling Fatah party is contesting who will have what little power Palestinian rulers will have in an independent Palestinian state.
According to Kevin Periano of Newsweek International:
Gaza is a long way from the days when a militant knew clearly who his enemies were. At one time, Israeli troops seemed like Zahar's most formidable foe. … Yet the most immediate threat to Zahar's life might now come from his own countrymen. After ten Palestinians were killed and 100 wounded in running gun battles two weeks ago—the bloodiest episode of infighting since the Islamist group took power—Fatah militants issued a leaflet calling for the assassination of Zahar and two other key Hamas figures.
Hamas won the election fairly. But in the Middle East it is not enough to be elected democratically -- the representatives must fit in with the plans of the world’s biggest powers. And because they have used terrorist tactics – like the founders of the state of Israel before them – they have had financial subsidies withdrawn. It is the subsequent hardship this has caused that is behind the rise in the crimes committed by the poverty stricken against the poverty stricken.
The other far more dangerous violence simmering below the surface is involves the question of who will rule in the hoped for new state. It is a question of little concern to the working class.
New exploiters are waiting in the wings in the hope of new investment opportunities.
No comments:
Post a Comment