A new theory of Hamas

[Turbineguy]

Consider the serious problem of unemployment in Gaza. Hamas of course needs high unemployment to provide them with a steady stream of disillusioned young men to recruit for their struggle with Israel. As with all systems the key to success is balance. The Goldilocks Modulus. In the case of Hamas, too low an unemployment rate cuts into recruitment, too high a rate and somebody might notice what a shit-job they do of running things. And unemployment tickling 30% is too high. Apparently

What to do?

Hamas is a death-cult, they don't do economics. One way to lower the unemployment rate is to have fewer people. As a death-cult this is the sort of problem Hamas can easily solve. And who is even better equipped to help them? Israel. Hamas gets Israel to lower the unemployment rate by killing a bunch of people and comes out smelling like, well what ever, but it's a crazy world and it just might work.

Since Hamas does not do economics or even reason, this is their only way. Once they get their numbers, this will stop. Temporarily anyway.

[Spider Jerusalem]

1. I would guess that unemployment in Gaza has something to do with the Israeli blockade.

[hack89]

6. Before the suicide bombers

People from Gaza went to good jobs in Israel. Before the suicide bombers.

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. That's not why there's a blockade.

Israel imposed the blockade because Hamas won the Palestinian elections in Gaza. (And Israel's occupation and settlement-building are responsible for Palestinian violence.)

[hack89]

8. That and the rampant arms smuggling

I know your sense of fairness calls for Hamas acquiring as many powerful weapons as they can so the death tolls are not so lopsided against the Palestinians. But for some reason the Israelis see it differently.

Israel forcibly removed Israeli settlers from Gaza as a trust building measure. Rockets were flying within minutes. Why should Israel even think that the next time removing settlements will produce peace.

I personally think Israel should call the Palestinian's bluff and remove the West Bank settlements. It will lead to war but it would be clear who was to blame.

[Spider Jerusalem]

10. Well, no, in fact, and I'll thank you to not put words in my mouth.

My sense of fairness calls for Israel to comply with its obligations under international law and withdraw completely from the settlements, rather than expanding them. (And for Israel to stop pretending that rocket attacks that follow IDF raids and targeted assassinations have absolutely no context and just happen out of nowhere, as well.) Pretending that there's absolutely zero relation between Israeli settlers engaging in "price tag" attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, or announcement of yet more settlement expansion, or an IDF "security" operation that kills a few dozen, or puts them in jail, and the actions of Hamas et al, seems to be pretty wilfully ignorant, somehow.

[oberliner]

11. Actually Palestinians are responsible for Palestinian violence

Just like Israelis are responsible for Israeli violence.

No one is forcing either side to behave violently.

[Spider Jerusalem]

12. Sorry, but Israel engages in quite a lot of provocation.

Illegal expansion of settlements is provocation. Israel's behaviour in the occupied territories for several decades, now, in contravention of international law, provokes a violent response. In many cases it seems designed deliberately to do so.

[oberliner]

13. There are no settlements in Gaza

Yet that is where the rocket attacks are coming from and is where Hamas has its power base.

The West Bank is filled with settlements and there are no such rocket attacks.

So clearly, a violent reaction is a choice that some Palestinians make and others do not.

One could also argue that Israel is provoked into violence by the actions of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other Palestinian groups.

In fact, that is basically what they argue.

[Spider Jerusalem]

14. Are you really that ignorant, or is it stupidity?

There are settlements in the West Bank. Which Israel continues expanding. Which is occupied Palestinian territory, under international law. Were you not actually aware of this? And things like this keep happening: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-announces-settlement-expansion-response-palestinian-unity-government-n123216

What do you think the effect of those actions is going to be, realistically?

[msongs]

2. maybe hamas is actually run by the IDF (secretly of course) nt

[seveneyes]

3. Hamas, ISIS, no real difference

They live only to butcher people and brainwash the youth to die in the name of Allah. Religion kills when it's taught that killing in the name of religion is their goal in life.

[DanTex]

4. Don't forget IDF. Different religion, same killing.

[dwilso40641]

5. You

are a sick puppy.

[Rhinodawg]

9. .