The Daily’s Jan. 30 editorial “Looking at Hamas by examining definitions” insults the intelligence of every reader of this paper. Why do Israel, the United States, the European Union and anyone with half a brain believe Hamas will be a roadblock to the peace process? The answer is simple: They state their opposition to peaceful coexistence with Israel in their charter. The group was founded to destroy the state of Israel, not for a peaceful coexistence. Their stated goal is the total annihilation of the state of Israel and all the Jews who live there. It is the Hamas charter that states: “The time will not come until Muslims will fight the Jews (and kill them); until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him!”
The editorial continues to insult the reader with its argument that Hamas, in and of itself, is not a terrorist organization. This is ridiculous. That they come to their conclusions by comparing Hamas to Fatah, and state that ” … it is ignorant to classify Hamas as a terrorist organization and Fatah as not.” Few people familiar with the situation in the Middle East would not consider the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the militant wing of Fatah, a terrorist organization. It is possible, and it is true that Hamas and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades are terrorist organizations. To then state that “Hamas has more of a social core that contributes to the livelihood of Palestinians,” is irresponsible, as if this absolves them of blame for their actions. This reeks of Don Corleone from “The Godfather”; that whatever bad deeds one commits can be washed away by token gestures toward the less fortunate.
Finally, the editorial makes a point that “Just because the U.S. government says Hamas is a terrorist organization doesn’t mean it is.” This is a fabulous argument, which beautifully takes advantage of most Americans feelings toward our government right now. Why take the U.S. government’s word for it? Go to lexis-nexis.com and type in “Hamas” and “suicide bombing,” take a look at how many of these bombings, which Hamas claimed responsibility for, occurred at nightclubs, restaurants, shopping malls, buses and grocery stores. The definition of a terrorist act is one carried out against civilians at sites with no legitimate military and/or political importance; an act, by its very nature, designed to instill fear in a civilian population. Now maybe you can make up your mind as to whether they are a terrorist organization.
Like most people, I hope for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and I would be thrilled for Hamas to become a partner in the peace process; however, one cannot look at the groups past actions and the very document on which the group is founded and not be pessimistic of the outcome. The Daily should be embarrassed to have run this editorial, as even under mild scrutiny its logic falls apart and smacks as the propaganda of the groups listed at the bottom, the International Solidarity Movement, Jews for an End to the Occupation and Women Against Military Madness Middle East Committee. Maybe next time the Daily can let them write their own letter to the editor and let them sign it themselves, rather than letting the Daily editorial board take credit for such a sloppy argument.
Seth Goldberg is a University alumnus and employee. Please send comments to [email protected].
