I thought the following commentary by Hussein Ibish was excellent. He was previously the spokesman for ADC (Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee) and was a common presence in the media defending the Arab point of view very effectively after 9/11. His analysis of the defense of Hamas by the left wing at the expense of Fatah is also applicable to Hezbollah and the March 14 bloc in Lebanon. His point is that in order for us Arabs to move forward, we cannot demonize each other. We blame G.W. Bush for his simpled minded dichotomous (with us or against us) view of the world, but we are apply this same principle to each other. Moreover, a political stance based on saying "NO", like the old Jabhat el Rafed, may be emotionally satisfying and make for fiery rhetoric but it achieves nothing.
Defend the Palestinian cause against its most unreasonable supporters
By Hussein Ibish, September 14, 2007
The conflict that has developed between Fatah and Hamas poses new and unprecedented challenges for supporters of the Palestinian cause. A rational response to this crisis should focus on reformulating a viable strategy for ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. The only serious prospect for ending the conflict and gaining independence for the Palestinian people is a negotiated solution to the occupation and the creation of a Palestinian state.
To work effectively toward that aim, there is no need for supporters of Palestine to become partisans of Fatah. However, important choices need to be made and there are serious consequences to words and deeds.
In the United States a small but vocal group of left-wing commentators has reacted by defending Hamas and heaping vitriol on Fatah. However well-intentioned, their rhetoric, or more significantly what it advocates, might significantly undermine efforts to help to end the occupation. (Continued here)
2 comments:
I find Ibish's article to be filled with problems.
Yaman,
I was expecting a comment from you after I saw that we both posted on the same article but with diametrically different opinions.
First, let me say that I didn't not analyze the article as carefully as you dissected it. I fully agree with your statement: "we should also be troubled by anybody who views the Palestinian people instrumentally, as either beneficial or detrimental to so-and-so’s interests". However, one has to consider the context and the audience that the article is meant for. This article is addressed mostly to Americans.
Where I agreed with Ibish is that it is not constrcutive to polarize the Palestinians leaving no room in the middle. Labelling Abbas a traitor because he is supported by the US is as stupid as praising Hamas just because they are not supported by the US. Meanwhile, the Palestinian people screwed from every side, not only by the Israelis but also by their own "protectors" (and I mean both Fatah and Hamas).
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