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August 13, 2014
Where's the Coverage? Palestinian Activist: "Hamas Paved the Road for the Death of our People"
Bassem Eid is director of the Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group, a veteran Palestinian Arab human rights activist. Recently he wrote a column, “Hamas needs the Palestinians’ deaths in order to claim victory,�? stating:
For more than 26 years, I have dedicated my life to defending human rights. I have seen wars, terror, and abuse. Yet this past month – from the kidnapping and murder of three Jewish boys, thru the kidnapping and murder of Mohammed abu Khdeir, and to the war in Gaza – has been the most politically and emotionally difficult month of my life.[…]
And yet, as a Palestinian, I must acknowledge: I am responsible for some of what has happened. As a Palestinian, I cannot deny my responsibility for the death of my own people.
The majority of Palestinians has opposed firing rockets into Israel. The Palestinians have understood that these rockets will achieve nothing. Palestinians have called on Hamas to stop firing on Israel and to try to negotiate with the Israeli occupation. But Hamas has never considered Palestinian needs – only its own political interests. And so they have continued to fire rockets at Israel, knowing full-well what the result would be: Hamas paved the road for the death of our people. We knew that Hamas was digging the tunnels that would lead to our destruction.
[…]
But Hamas leaders are more interested in their victories than in the lives of their victims. Indeed, Hamas needs these deaths in order to claim victory. Death of its own people empowers Hamas, enabling it to accrue more money and more arms.
Hamas has never been interested in liberating the Palestinian people from the occupation. And Israel could never destroy the infrastructure set up by Hamas. Only we, the Palestinian people, could dismantle it.
What could we have done? The residents of the Gaza Strip had the responsibility to rebel against Hamas rule. Yes, Hamas' control is deadly and people have been afraid to express their dissatisfaction with its rule and mismanagement. And yet, we abdicated our own responsibility to ourselves.
We knew this. And we let it happen.
[…]
The lesson is that we must rid ourselves of Hamas and completely demilitarize Gaza. Then we will open up the border crossings. I say this as a loyal Palestinian and because I care for my own people.
Naturally, this is a voice that you have not heard in the mainstream media. This is a narrative that you have not read in the popular press. The analysis is infinitely reasonable. The writer is thoroughly credible. And yet… Where’s the coverage?
Posted by SC at August 13, 2014 03:47 PM
Comments
Mr. Eid is a very courageous man. When I showed the article to my adult son, he sighed and said, "That guy's dead." I hope not although I suspect Hamas will try to find and kill him for his heartfelt and honest courage.
I too wish the Palestinians the courage to throw out Hamas, start building their state, and have open and free and safe borders with Israel.
Posted by: June at August 14, 2014 04:23 PM
it is always encouraging to hear a palestinian voice speak soberly from the wilderness. However, more than the english speaking world,it is the arabic speaking world that needs to hear what Mr Eid has to say. and we need many such voices before the palestinian people veer away from the destructive path on which they are being led.
Posted by: Bert Rosenheck at August 14, 2014 10:13 PM
Sadly, he still propagates the myth that Israel is occupying Gaza. Perhaps, when he says "occupation", he means Israel itself, which is Hamas's theory.
His commentary is along the lines of "is the glass half full or half empty". Yes, Hamas must be gone, and the people of Gaza must take responsibility for what is happening to them, but claiming an occupation speaks to cross purposes or simply not getting it.
Posted by: Stephen at August 15, 2014 12:50 AM
this is the truth.The only way to find peace in the mid east(gasa) is to disarm Hamas,turn out the ruling class and seek peace thru sincere and truthful negotiations with Israel.I know as a Jew,Israel would do its best to help the Palestenians find a new life by teaching them how Israel does it.We are that kind of people,not war mongers as the press would like the world to believe.Gid bless this man,give him strength to convey his thoughts with jhis country men.
Posted by: Melvin Lichtenfeld at August 15, 2014 03:23 PM
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