For those that don't know, Hamas just won a stunning victory in the Palestinian legislative elections. This took most westerners by surprise, and to a poly sci guy like me, its fascinating (if not terrifying).
Recent Israel History:
Israel did something I never thought it would do, it voluntarily agreed to pull out of the Gaza Strip settlements and work with Palestinian Authority on things like border checkpoints. The idea is, if the Palestinians have something to lose (namely territory of their own), they are much less likely to attack Israel. Terrorism will diminish, etc.
Current Problem:
Okay all seems like its on plan, and now Hamas is elected. For those who don't know, Hamas is considered a terrorist group by the US, EU, and Israel. They publicly call for the destruction of Israel and admit to being the source of many suicide cafe bombings. For US readers, this would be like Al Qaeda getting elected to Congress in Virginia. Now what? What would you do if you were Israel? yikes.
It should be interesting to watch because the Palestininan Authority (i.e.,. the executive arm of government that does things like build infrastructure) ran a $1 billion operating deficit last year. The US funds $400 million to keep it afloat. The US is threatening to remove funding if Hamas doesn't renounce terrorism and the destruction of its neighbor.
Also, the Palestinian economy is inextricably linked to that of Israel. So how can you call for the destruction of your biggest trading partner without dooming yourself.
What a mess. Makes poker problems seem easy.
Tim
The Hamas Situation
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The Hamas Situation
by T-Rod » Sat Jan 28, 2006 8:01 am
Last edited by T-Rod on Sat Jan 28, 2006 8:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
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by Cactus Jack » Sat Jan 28, 2006 8:08 am
"Are the players better as the stakes go up? It's not an exam; it's a buyin." Barry Tanenbaum
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by JackLucifer » Sat Jan 28, 2006 9:24 am
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by JackLucifer » Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:52 am
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by iceman5 » Sat Jan 28, 2006 12:24 pm
I go one step further and say that I DO think that the majority of Palestinians leaders and probably the rest of the people DO prefer conflict and violence to peace.
Conflict is all these people have known for generation after generation. Its in their blood. Its what they live for. Its all they know. Its not going to end anytime in our lifetimes.
And this is not a racist statement. Palestine isnt a race.
Conflict is all these people have known for generation after generation. Its in their blood. Its what they live for. Its all they know. Its not going to end anytime in our lifetimes.
And this is not a racist statement. Palestine isnt a race.
iceman5 ![[As]](https://www.pofex.com/images/smilies/As.gif "The Ace of Spades")
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by Felonius_Monk » Sat Jan 28, 2006 1:06 pm
The Monkman J[c]
"Informer, you no say daddy me snow me Ill go blame,
A licky boom boom down.
Detective mon said daddy me snow me stab someone down the lane,
A licky boom boom down." - Snow, 1993
"Informer, you no say daddy me snow me Ill go blame,
A licky boom boom down.
Detective mon said daddy me snow me stab someone down the lane,
A licky boom boom down." - Snow, 1993
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