08 January 2009

Israel Could Force Even More Extremism

Israel's actions against Gaza could easily prove counter-productive, i.e. they could strengthen/add credibility to Hamas in both Gaza and the West Bank, or it could lead to Palestinians turning to more extreme Salafist movements to oppose Israel:

Seamus Milne (The Guardian):

"Among Palestinians, [the war] is undermining Mahmoud Abbas - whose presidential term runs out tomorrow - and his Fatah movement, while increasing support for Hamas in the West Bank, where US-trained and EU-financed security forces have now arrested hundreds of activists and banned Hamas demonstrations. It is also strengthening those inside Fatah who want to break with the western-enforced schism between the two wings of Palestinian politics. Hussam Khader, a West Bank "Young Guard" Fatah leader, is one of those now demanding direct unity negotiations with Hamas, and for the Fatah-linked Al-Aqsa Brigades to fight alongside Hamas against Israel's onslaught."

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