Hamas's Gluttony

[shira]

What's fascinating is the source of this criticism (the leading arabic international daily english edition):

http://www.asharqalawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=2&id=13982

<snip>

A few days ago, a striking statement was made by Palestinian sources in Damascus through Asharq Al-Awsat, suggesting that the Hamas Islamic movement is financially thriving.

At a time when the people of Gaza were left without a loaf of bread, Hamas was paying approximately 18,000 militants who are associated with the movement- what amounts to 16 million dollars a month.

<snip>


So how can there be talk of lifting the Gaza siege and relieving the distress of its people, while Hamas concentrates all its efforts on recruiting and providing for its thousands of fighters. It is clear that Hamas's priority is to look after its militants, at the expense of Gaza's people and their suffering! Isn't this a deliberate exploitation of their humanitarian suffering, their poverty and need?

This also raises a pressing question regarding the ceasefire which Hamas committed to with Israel. Was it to relieve the suffering of Gaza's people and bring some order to their lives after a long period of agony? or was it a chance by Hamas to exploit and consolidate its coup against the Palestinian Authority, as well as suppressing their opponents in Gaza by firing them from their jobs in education, healthcare and other institutions in Gaza in an effort to impose its brotherhood's ideology?!


How about that? Sobering, huh?

[hughee99]

1. And if peace broke out, you'd have 18,000 people out of a job...

So there's a bunch of people that have a vested interest in keeping the conflict going regardless of what their leaders say publicly or agree to.

[Vegasaurus]

2. War is always big business

and in Gaza, war is about the only business in town.

Of course there is vested interest in keeping the conflict going, not to mention getting rid of Israel.