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Wednesday, 7th January 2009

Why do we feel so comfortable criticising Israel, but we never mention Hamas?

In my mind’s eye, Barak lives in a darkened house, full of jarringly unsynchronised ticking. Perhaps he has a failing grandfather clock he calls ‘Ariel Sharon’ which he winds, just a little, every day. I can see Tzipi Livni calling at him through the letter box, refusing to go any further. I can see him owning cats. Lots of cats.

And, in a similar sort of way, bong three if you like, it now strikes me that I can’t see Hamas at all. None of us can. As a result, I suspect that the instinct is to ignore their nasty bits. Like last night, on the BBC News, when they went into that hospital in Gaza. Horrifying, you probably thought. This won’t do at all. Whatever is going on, this has to stop. And then, almost as an afterthought, they dredged up some beardy leadership figure from Hamas. Never seen him before in my life.

‘We will remain on the right path,’ he vowed, ‘until we liberate all of Palestine. We tell all people who demonstrated, all over the world, that we won’t let them down.’

Do you hear that, Annie Lennox? Hamas won’t let you down. They’re going to liberate all of Palestine. Even Tel Aviv. Even Eilat. That’s what you want, isn’t it? What was it you said? ‘It’s not about Gaza, It’s about all of us.’ All of us including Hamas? Why don’t you ever mention Hamas? Why is it so easy not to? Do they fix clocks? Who cares?

There is an occasional conviction, particularly on the hawkish Right, that much criticism of Israel is predicated on anti-Semitism. I’ve never really bought it. In fact, it bugs me. I’m sure there are plenty of anti-Semites among Israel’s critics, but I reckon their anti-Semitism came afterwards, as a result of lazy thinking.

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Martin

January 9th, 2009 6:49pm Report this comment

We bash Israel because it is safe to bash Israel... it is also fashionable and the "in" thing to do.
We don't criticize Hamas because it is not safe to do. We might get blown up or have the head cut off with a blunt instrument.
This is why !!!

A. Stewart

January 10th, 2009 3:13am Report this comment

No one is ever brave enough to say that Hamas thugs are using women and children as a shield. Ask Ms Lennox et al how they would feel if Hamas operatives lived next door to a member of their family.

The fact remains however that it will only be when the people living in that part of the world get tired of the conflict and decide to negotiate a land treaty with each other that recognises, in a pragmatic way, that neither party is going to disappear, that peace will break out amongst all those who live there.

How about it ladies? Can't you do something with your unduly belligerent "leaders"?

Andrew Hingston

January 15th, 2009 11:56pm Report this comment

We instinctively feel that something is wrong, but aren't quite sure what -- so many details, so far away, such unpleasant people all around. Hamas are unpleasant people, to be sure. But they are also democratically elected. No one expected it; few like it; but they were, and the election was certified free and fair. Israel has succeeded in the age old trick of divide and conquer, and they have added a new twist by using the tactic in the context of PR. Gaza is treated as one thing without reference to the West Bank. But the Palestinians are the victims in both places. If Scotland were attacked, one imagines the English might (just might) rush to their defence. But when the West Bank is still under oppressive occupation, the newly emancipated (in some people's minds, but not according to the facts on the ground) Gazans are supposed to ignore it. When Israel pulls back to the pre-67 borders, dismantles the fence, provides Gaza with reparations for the damage done to infrastructure over the decades, and also acknowledges Palestinian sovereignty, then they will have a right to expect their security. But under present circumstances the Gazans are not only brave but absolutely right to keep up the fight. Would that the rest of the world had a fraction of their courage.

Bart

March 19th, 2009 11:20am Report this comment

Christians have been tormenting Jews since early Roman times. It is ingrained in Christian DNA. Many Jews feel a need to suck up to their tormentors so they go along with the torch-carrying mob. It will never change.

Merlyn

March 22nd, 2009 9:02am Report this comment

Yes Andrew, the Palestinians are the victims, however had they chosen not to leave their homes in the first place, encouraged by the about to wage war Arab nations, they would not be in the predicament they are in now. Yes, they chose to leave, they were not pushed out, bullied or anything else. Their counterparts who stayed have the best lifestyle of any Arabs anywhere in the Middle East.The Israeli Government still holds deeds to properties that were left by the Palestinians for them to claim some time in the future.
The news that you get is biased all the way down the line, starting from Associated press and Reuters to the BBC all getting their news from Hamas sympathizers . But then if you don't you have a threat hanging over your head quite literally.

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