Word: gaza
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...impression of the American referee leaving the ring while Sharon puts Arafat in a chokehold that has caused the most alarm in Arab and European capitals over the past three days - particularly when their TV screens are filled with images of terrified Palestinian children fleeing air strikes in Gaza. But despite the impression of Sharon having been given a green light to do as he sees fit, the Bush administration remains deeply divided over how to proceed. Only a week ago the State Department had sent General Anthony Zinni to cajole both sides into a cease-fire and a return...
...accusing it of channeling funds to Hamas. But the tougher U.S. stance is being criticized by Washington's Arab allies, who see Palestinian terror attacks as a symptom of the failure of the peace process to resolve the problem of Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Strong U.S. support for Israeli action against the PA without concomitant pressure on Sharon for a return to the peace process is perceived in the Arab world as one-sided. And, most of the funding for Hamas, which maintains both a covert and deadly terrorist arm and a large education...
...course, Hamas is a major headache, because even as it is openly challenging his efforts to return to the negotiating table, it appears to carry the support of more Palestinians than Arafat himself. Hamas is believed to represent at least 30 percent of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and its suicide bombings enjoy the support of as much as 70 percent. Street-level resistance has stopped Arafat's gendarmes from arresting a number of Hamas activists in recent days, and as the Palestinian leader reportedly rushes to meet Israel's deadline, he risks a damaging showdown with...
...Right-wing members of Sharon's cabinet - and Benjamin Netanyahu, his popular challenger for the Likud leadership in the next election - are demanding action to destroy the PA and drive Arafat out of the West Bank and Gaza. Even in Washington, there is mounting skepticism over Arafat's value as a peace partner. The Palestinian leader appears to be drifting desperately, with nothing approximating a strategy and his notoriously autocratic leadership style making it difficult for more clear-sighted aides to effect policy, even as his political authority ebbs more and more visibly. And yet even inside Sharon's cabinet...
...Palestinian Authority cannot act against Hamas because they are afraid of Hamas. Today, for example, Hamas stopped Palestinian Security forces in Gaza from arresting one of the bodyguards of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the head of Hamas. And similar things happened in the West Bank, where Arafat's police were prevented from arresting people. Hamas is a power on the ground, and I think it's an illusion to think that arrests would put an end to Hamas. Hamas is not just a military threat, it's a major political power in Palestinian society...