Word: hamasã
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Even if Hamas does not change, Hamas?? victory has already begun to transform the Fatah Party, a welcome development. Under Yasir Arafat and recently Mahmoud Abbas, the Fatah Party presided over one of the most corrupt and incompetent organizations in the world. Arafat used the Palestinian Authority treasury as his personal cashbox to buy loyalty and to support a maze of security services. It is estimated that Arafat and his corrupt cronies pocketed almost half of the seven billion dollars in foreign aid contributed to the Palestinian Authority. Sadly, only ten percent of the Palestinian state budget ever...
...will “unsettle the world.” In fact, the situation is not as terrible as the national media has made it out to be. This event will, refreshingly, force Hamas to make dramatic choices that will reveal the involved party’s true colors. Hamas?? assumption of power brings the situation to a pivotal point that will lead to three major alternatives in the future, any of which would be better than the Palestinian doublespeak and roadmap malaise of the last several years...
Ultimately, the question of whether Hamas?? victory represents positive change will be measured by the progress (or lack thereof) toward a peaceful settlement between Palestinians and Israelis. It is, however, important to remember that there is a difference between appeasement and a lasting settlement. Peace will only come when both parties are deeply committed to a permanent agreement, and until Hamas shows that it is truly committed, there must be no pressure on Israel for concessions. The contrasting examples of the Oslo Accords and the lasting peace with Egypt demonstrate the necessity of this prerequisite to negotiate. Under...
...addition, curtailing or canceling these programs would weaken Hamas??s adversaries, not Hamas. Organizations receiving USAID funding are the closest thing to allies that America has in the West Bank and Gaza; they already sign a pledge that they will not support terror organizations or terrorists. America should redouble its efforts to strengthen these groups, not abandon them...
America’s fundamental credibility on democracy is at stake in our response to Hamas. Respecting unwelcome yet democratic outcomes is part and parcel of supporting democracy. If reform, development and exchange programs are curtailed or cut off because of Hamas??s victory, it will not only weaken Palestinian moderates relative to Hamas??it will further endanger America’s credibility as a supporter of democracy in the Middle East and around the world...