In his comments on the Hamas victory in the Palestinian elections, Gideon Levy, writing in Ha'aretz, has gone much further than me. Where I offered hope that Hamas may possibly do some good, he suggests that only Hamas can take meaningful steps towards a peace settlement.
Levy has for many years been an outspoken critic of the Israeli occupation. His firmly logical and totally unorthdox positions have proved him to be one of Israel's bravest journalists, and this article may yet show him to be one of the sanest. Across a broad swathe of the Israeli political scene there continue to be calls for assassinations of Hamas leaders, even though judging by last Wednesday's election results, that policy is exactly the one that has brought Hamas increasing support.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
The Taliban of Ramallah?
In the last few days innumerable Western pundits have been trying to guess what the victory by Hamas in the Palestinian elections will mean. The answer is that no-one knows, or indeed can know, least of all the leaders of Hamas themselves.
Some people in Hamas are definitely terrorists, and some are clearly Islamic fundamentalists who were willing to go along with the "western paganism" of elections only as a route to establishing a religious Islamic state. For example, Sheikh Mohammed Abu Tir, no. 2 on the Hamas list, has been quoted as saying that Hamas will make Islamic Sharia law a source of legislation in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
In contrast, there are many Palestinians, including many who voted for Hamas, who understand that the word "democracy" means far more than just holding elections. It implies a pluralistic society, with a division of powers, respect for the rule of law, and protection of the rights of all citizens, including members of minority groups. Most importantly, political parties in democratic societies agree to accept "the will of the people": when defeated they relinquish office.
Democracy usually means a secular state, one in which citizens may follow any religious belief of their own choosing while the state follows none, or follows one blandly and innocuously, without imposing it on unwilling citizens.
My hope is that the realities of office may persuade Hamas to become more democratic in the widest sense of the term. I believe that the majority of people in the West Bank and Gaza would want this to happen, as a change of attitude by Hamas is a necessary precursor to any settlement with Israel, which so may Palestinians now appear to want. My fear is that Hamas may quickly become Palestine's own Taliban, and the Palestinian people surely deserve something better than that.
Some people in Hamas are definitely terrorists, and some are clearly Islamic fundamentalists who were willing to go along with the "western paganism" of elections only as a route to establishing a religious Islamic state. For example, Sheikh Mohammed Abu Tir, no. 2 on the Hamas list, has been quoted as saying that Hamas will make Islamic Sharia law a source of legislation in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
In contrast, there are many Palestinians, including many who voted for Hamas, who understand that the word "democracy" means far more than just holding elections. It implies a pluralistic society, with a division of powers, respect for the rule of law, and protection of the rights of all citizens, including members of minority groups. Most importantly, political parties in democratic societies agree to accept "the will of the people": when defeated they relinquish office.
Democracy usually means a secular state, one in which citizens may follow any religious belief of their own choosing while the state follows none, or follows one blandly and innocuously, without imposing it on unwilling citizens.
My hope is that the realities of office may persuade Hamas to become more democratic in the widest sense of the term. I believe that the majority of people in the West Bank and Gaza would want this to happen, as a change of attitude by Hamas is a necessary precursor to any settlement with Israel, which so may Palestinians now appear to want. My fear is that Hamas may quickly become Palestine's own Taliban, and the Palestinian people surely deserve something better than that.
I was "tagged"
I was recently "tagged" by VoodooMike, and therefore I have to confess to five weird things about myself.
Here is my confession:
1. I hate olives
2. I am addicted to BBC Radio 4. I listen to it whenever I can even though I detest some of the presenters and frequently shout at the radio in disgust. I don't like working or studying in silence, and have radios all over the house to keep me company.)
3. I am an active member of my synagogue even though I don't believe in God.
4. If procrastination was an Olympic sport, I would be something like a five-times gold medallist.
5. I often have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
When I read this list back to myself, I realised that the beloved Mrs. Burrard would hold the opposite position to me on all five points. (She loves olives, hates Radio 4, and so on.) I wonder if this is the secret to our enduring marriage, or simply the my most convenient yardstick for my weirdness, as contrasted with my wife's normality?
Now I am supposed to go and "tag" five other bloggers, but Mike has already tagged most of the bloggers I know....
Here is my confession:
1. I hate olives
2. I am addicted to BBC Radio 4. I listen to it whenever I can even though I detest some of the presenters and frequently shout at the radio in disgust. I don't like working or studying in silence, and have radios all over the house to keep me company.)
3. I am an active member of my synagogue even though I don't believe in God.
4. If procrastination was an Olympic sport, I would be something like a five-times gold medallist.
5. I often have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
When I read this list back to myself, I realised that the beloved Mrs. Burrard would hold the opposite position to me on all five points. (She loves olives, hates Radio 4, and so on.) I wonder if this is the secret to our enduring marriage, or simply the my most convenient yardstick for my weirdness, as contrasted with my wife's normality?
Now I am supposed to go and "tag" five other bloggers, but Mike has already tagged most of the bloggers I know....
Monday, January 23, 2006
Bronwyn is right
Bronwyn is right of course, and an update to this blog is long overdue.
She is always right, is our Bronwyn!
:-)
She is always right, is our Bronwyn!
:-)
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