Know Your Enemy

So we're always told that Hamas is an evil terrorist organization bent on the destruction of Israel and its Jewish inhabitants and the establishment of an Islamic state in the historic British Mandate Palestine. No western state will recognize the currently elected government headed by Hamas' political party. This lack of recognition coupled with the impotence of the Palestinian state, have conspired to deprive the Palestinians of many of the basic necessities of life.

So much for western claims of spreading democracy. Sorry Palestinians, we forgot to mention that democracy means making the right choice, our choice. Ultimately though, Hamas was elected not for their belligerent position vis-a-vis Israel but for their pledges to root out corruption in Palestine. The government of Ismail Haniyeh is the Palestinians choice to lead them. Are they wrong?

Instead of ignoring and marginalizing Ismail Haniyeh, why not listen to what he has to say? No one seems willing talk speak with him in spite of his position as Palestinian Prime Minister. So we had better give him a chance to speak. I wholeheartedly encourage you to read the text of his recent letter to British Labour Party and the British public more generally. Does this sound like a terrorist to you?

And unlike many leaders around the world, you can send him an email if you'd like. His email address is haniyeh@fastmail.net