Remember just 2 weeks ago, Hamas was congratulating Tunisia:
Islamists applaud popular uprising in TunisiaMy, how things have changed--Hamas isn't applauding Tunisia any more:
Hamas and Islamic Jihad on Saturday expressed their respect for the Tunisian people, whose uprising led to the ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ban Ali.
Ben Ali fled Tunisia on Friday with members of his family and his inner circle to escape deadly protests against his 23 years of authoritarian rule.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri applauded the Tunisian people's expression of their right to choose their leadership democratically without foreign intervention.
Meanwhile, Islamic Jihad congratulated the Tunisians on gaining their freedom "through blood, sacrifices and the expression of free will."
Hamas Worried Revolutions Could Spread to GazaOriginally, it was the PLO that backtracked on its congratulations to Tunisia, followed by Prime Minister Fayyad going so far as to give his personal assurance about the West Bank economy.
The Hamas is concerned that the revolutions rocking the Arab world could spread to Gaza.
Several Facebook groups are calling on Gaza residents to demonstrate against Hamas rule on Friday.
Just what is Hamas going to assure Gazans about?
Are they going to promise they will cut back on firing rockets into Israel--so that Israel will not take action and send Hamas leaders again scurrying to hospital basements while Gazans are left with no bunkers or places to hide?
This could be interesting.
Technorati Tag: Hamas.
What is notable about Arab protests is the nearly complete omission of Israel from them. People want a better life and more freedom, things Arab regimes have failed to deliver for decades. Hamas has every reason to be worried if PalArabs start demanding an improvement in their lot and the jihad has to take a back seat to it. The Islamist terrorist organization is many things but it doesn't strike one as a group whose chief interest is first and foremost the welfare of the Palestinians.
ReplyDeleteThings are about to get interesting in Gaza.
But by the same token, if Murbarak is able to stop the protesters in their tracks--even though he will not continue to rule--it will serve as an example to Hamas that harsher measures can be taken to restore "order"
ReplyDeleteAnd potential protesters will take note.