More than half a year after Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, Hamas has stopped the “rocket war” and seems to be focusing on a “political war” against Israel in an intriguing battle for world opinion.
Hamas’ leaders managed to draw international condemnation of Israel over allegations of disproportionate force. Ethan Bronner from the New York Times quotes the Hamas Minister of Culture as saying that “we want to explain our reality to the outside world…we want the writers and intellectuals of the world to come and see how people are suffering on a daily basis.”
While the heads of the IDF can seemingly be proud that, contrary to some prevalent contemporary theories, 21st century terror organizations like Hamas and Hizbullah can be deterred, Israel must also note that the “political war” being waged against it on the global stage severely undermines its national security.
In recent years, voices calling for Israel’s political isolation and boycotts have increased significantly and reflect a trend which is weakening Israel internationally. Ironically, extreme fundamental terror organization like Hamas, have succeeded in contributing to the image of Israel as a pariah state.
Related Links:
Ethan Bronner, ” Hamas Shifts From Rockets to Culture War”, NYT, 7/23/09.
Israel Apartheid Week
General
Amit Granek
Yuval Holtzmann
Ronit Gudes
Gidi Grinstein
Gaddy Weissman
Calev Ben Dor
Yossi Horesh
Dana Preisler
Omri Dagan
Eran Shayshon
Liran Bainvol
Merav Pick
Noa Ecker
Netaly Ophir
Yariv Mann
Reut Institute
Omri Zegen
Yael Weisz
Toni Hasson
Talia Gorodess
Gil Murciano
Anat Horowitz
Abed Assli
Daphna Kaufman
Shay Gurion
Elad Leshem
Aliza Petrack
Jessica Brandt
Yael Brendel
Martin Ben Moreh
yotamhacohen
Jeremy Fischer
Eden Gallanter
The best way to undermine the image of Hamas among leftist sympathizers in Europe and America is to convey, in as much detail as possible, the fascist and totalitarian behavior of Hamas. The “night of the long knives” way it removed the Fatah opposition; the tyrannizing of the secular populace in Gaza; the indifference to the safety of the population; the refusal to allow Fatah representatives to travel to the conference in Bethlehem. This is a narrative that should be circulated as broadly as possible. It does more to condemn Hamas than all the images of Palestinian children in military posture. That offends US, but it doesn’t register with moderate Arabs or most of the gentile world in the West. Why? Because kids play at war whether they are encouraged to do so by their “teachers” or whether they are simply allowed to run free. Besides, most of the world still has trouble accepting the Israeli army’s use of women and compulsory military training. of Israel’s youth