Starvation, US-Israeli boycott, siege, and chronic unemployment produced a whole generation of young men in Gaza with little to do, little to live for, many mouths to feed, and cheapened lives to the extent of dying for a political leader, turf, or some food.
“In Gaza, a fenced-in, poverty stricken territory where only a tiny portion of the 1.3 milion residents has a job and where brutal Israeli military incursions are a daily fact of life, the militant group Hamas has won wide support for its welfare work, and is asking to have a greater role in running the Gaza Strip once Israel withdraws.” (AP Photo/Caption, June 2004)
Years of systemic Israeli destruction and weakening of the infrastructure, economy, and more importantly, the official Palestinian Authority security forces, have left Gaza infested with dozens of new small armies. Some are clan-based militias in a strip where smuggling contraband was the only viable trade left, and others are political group-affiliated militias, some of which, like the Hamas one, are far superior to the security services in arms, discipline, and pay. In some cases, an individuals could belong to more than one type of armed groups.
A small contingent of US backed Fatah officials who control security forces refuse to acknowledge Hamas democratic election win last year. They, in effect, have joined the Israeli-American boycott of the Palestinian people int he hope of weakening Hamas and retaining/retrieving power. To that end, these officials have refused to allow new government officials, be they from Hamas or the new unity government, any control of security forces whose loyalty they continue to enjoy. And since for years, the security forces where staffed by Fatah loyalists, as Hamas and others chose to opt out, and the Hamas controlled government have brought them little in terms of salaries, the foot soldiers have little motivation to obey new leadership.
In reciprocity, Hamas insists on grabbing hold of all authorities and powers the election win entitles her to. This blind lack of tact has amounted to a sense of entitlement and ignorance of the price that path my dictate. And like Fatah, a small cluster of Hamas leaders have agendas that deviate from the greater good, but the foot soldiers find themselves in the middle of a street battle where survival, not why, is what’s most important.
In the wake of the latest wave of bloodshed in Gaza, the long awaited, marginally productive Palestinian unity government is on the verge of collapse, since it failed to end the embargo imposed on the Palestinian people, despite it holding among its ranks White House friendlies like Finance Minister Salam Fayyad.
For more analysis on the latest situation in Gaza, read Danny Rubinstein’s Haaretz‘ article, Kawasmeh’s resignation / Anarchy wins in Gaza.
Related posts:
- Palestinian Peace Initiative Launched From Prison
- Hamas Recognizes Israel, Unity Government Agreed
- Israel Continues To Hold $560 Millions Of Palestinian Money
- Weekend Reading: Israel’s ‘invisible hand’ in Gaza
- Weekend Reading, From Yahoo!News
did you get what you want Roy??
I would like to invite you to live in the occupied territories for one week, and I’m sure you’ll give up at the second check point.
I don’t know why you like to ignore realities.
Posted by Layth | May 15, 2007, 8:34 amBooyaaa…
Layth rocks,
Posted by Anonymous | May 15, 2007, 9:00 amisn’t israel out of gaza?
Posted by Anonymous | May 15, 2007, 1:41 pmdid you get what you want Roy??
No, but I got what I expected. Palestinians are violent, and you blame Israel. Arabs are not responsible for their own behavior, it is all the fault of Israel and America.
This blog knows one tune.
Posted by Roy | May 15, 2007, 3:07 pmno we are sorry, Palestine is occupied by Brazil, by weapons and tanks made in Philippine, Luxemburg’s army is killing Iraqis, Lebanon was attacked by China, and Afghanistan by Yemen….
how many tunes do you know Roy?!!
Posted by Layth | May 15, 2007, 3:33 pmWow, your unthinking support for Palestine is so unconscious, so ingrained, so amazingly beyond your ability to even consider, that you completely missed the point.
All you can imagine is that I want you to blame still other people for Palestinian actions.
Amazing.
Posted by Roy | May 16, 2007, 5:21 amI have a comment for the author Fayyad. Regardless of our realization that Israel is apperently persecuting the Palestinian people in an unjust fashion; one must recognize the failure on the part of the Palestinians. It seems that Arabs in general waste too much time blaiming the superpowers of the world on their own corruption. It is time that the Palestinian people put down their weapons, and use the methods of the first Intifada to truly gain international recognition. It is time the palestinians in exile jump to the aid of their brethrens by fighting for laws in the US and elsewhere. As touching as your essays and blogs are we need to be harder on the Palestinians themselves; not because they are at fault, but rather because there is no othere way.
Posted by Peace Studies | May 16, 2007, 8:11 amfar away….
but what about my invitation to live in the occupied territories??
why to comment only on parts??
Posted by Layth | May 16, 2007, 8:40 amI am gay and I support female’s right and I don’t want to kill Jews. DO you still think I should come live in Gaza? Would I be safe there?
Posted by Anonymous | May 16, 2007, 2:21 pmbut what about my invitation to live in the occupied territories??
What about it? Did you think it was somehow relevant to anything?
If so, you were wrong. I’m not going to address every pugnacious challenge or pointless question you utter.
Posted by Roy | May 16, 2007, 2:28 pmanon 2:21
I’m not sure about safty, but for sure u’ll be very welcome…
Posted by Anonymous | May 16, 2007, 3:09 pmI’d like to go visit the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Center in Gaza. Can you let me know where it is? Thanks.
Also, since I am a gay woman, do you think I can get a teaching job at Gaza University and can you let me know how many other Lesbian professors you guys have at that school? Or even other Gay male professors? Thanks, I’m very interested in this answer.
Lastly, since I am an atheist, I am thinking about starting a movement to find and help Muslims Apostates in Gaza. Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks!
Posted by Anonymous | May 17, 2007, 8:36 amI accept your answer roy…
I’m living in Jenin science 24 years, during which never visited Gaza, but if Israel will allow people from the West Bank to visit Gaza Strip, it could be possible for me to help you..
Posted by Layth | May 17, 2007, 8:53 amBTW if you want any info. about Jenin, feel free to contact me…
Posted by Layth | May 17, 2007, 1:46 pmHey Layth, I’m the lesbian professor writing. Can I find work and start my center in Jenin?
Posted by Anonymous | May 18, 2007, 11:41 amanon 11:41
no you arn’t, you should read the comment of anon 8:36 again..
el3ab 3′airha
Posted by Layth | May 20, 2007, 3:06 amThat was me too. I hate penis. Do you believe me now Layth?
5uCk @ d1Ck
Posted by Anonymous | May 20, 2007, 1:09 pm