Mudy, the Dutch view on the islamis fighting it out in Palestine:
http://www.elsevier.nl/opinie/commentaren/...6462/index.html (has original)
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Wednesday, 13 juni 2007
<b>Powergrip of Hamas shows Verhagen was right</b>
<i>The powergrip of Hamas shows once more that one can't talk to islamists</i>
Oene van der Wal
Israel had always been sceptical about the democratic inclination of the Palestinian government, and refused to acknowledge that (government?). Now the Olmert-government is proven right. The powergrip of Hamas shows once more that it is of no use talking to islamists.
Since the Israeli withdrawal in 2005, many attempts have been made to start up a functioning governance. The west supported the relatively moderated powers of Fatah and its leader, president Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas is being isolated, even if that is the democratically-chosen majority party. Hamas though refuses to recognise Israel and wishes just as little to hand over its weaponry.
From the regions in North-Gaza and and Gaza-city where heavily armed Hamas-militias rule come increasingly frequent reports that point to increasing influence of radical islam. Moreover, the Gaza-strip is not functioning as a state. Just like in other islamic 'failed states' - Afghanistan, Somalia and to lesser extent Iraq - the islamists see in this their chance to do a grab for power.
The Israeli government is reflecting on a reaction. Occupy the Gazastrip once more? It is a real opption, if Hamas were to get the entire region under control and resume firing of rockets in direction of the Jewish state. Not to be ruled out is that Hamas shall try to obtain control over the western Jordan shore.
The development of the crisis in the Gazastrip shows how sensible the Verhagen-line is. The Dutch minister of Foreign Affairs (CDA), visiting Israel and Gaza (on) these days, does not want to discuss anything/does not want to converse with Hamas and earlier refused, totally correctly, entry to Hamas PM Ismail Haniyeh, who wanted to address a Palestinian gathering in Rotterdam.
Would Palestine-friends Femke Halsema (Groenlinks/Greenleft) and Dries van Agt (CDA) still find that one one to bake sweet breads with the fundies? (That is, still be buddies with the Palestinian terror groups)<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
http://www.elsevier.nl/opinie/commentaren/...6462/index.html (has original)
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Wednesday, 13 juni 2007
<b>Powergrip of Hamas shows Verhagen was right</b>
<i>The powergrip of Hamas shows once more that one can't talk to islamists</i>
Oene van der Wal
Israel had always been sceptical about the democratic inclination of the Palestinian government, and refused to acknowledge that (government?). Now the Olmert-government is proven right. The powergrip of Hamas shows once more that it is of no use talking to islamists.
Since the Israeli withdrawal in 2005, many attempts have been made to start up a functioning governance. The west supported the relatively moderated powers of Fatah and its leader, president Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas is being isolated, even if that is the democratically-chosen majority party. Hamas though refuses to recognise Israel and wishes just as little to hand over its weaponry.
From the regions in North-Gaza and and Gaza-city where heavily armed Hamas-militias rule come increasingly frequent reports that point to increasing influence of radical islam. Moreover, the Gaza-strip is not functioning as a state. Just like in other islamic 'failed states' - Afghanistan, Somalia and to lesser extent Iraq - the islamists see in this their chance to do a grab for power.
The Israeli government is reflecting on a reaction. Occupy the Gazastrip once more? It is a real opption, if Hamas were to get the entire region under control and resume firing of rockets in direction of the Jewish state. Not to be ruled out is that Hamas shall try to obtain control over the western Jordan shore.
The development of the crisis in the Gazastrip shows how sensible the Verhagen-line is. The Dutch minister of Foreign Affairs (CDA), visiting Israel and Gaza (on) these days, does not want to discuss anything/does not want to converse with Hamas and earlier refused, totally correctly, entry to Hamas PM Ismail Haniyeh, who wanted to address a Palestinian gathering in Rotterdam.
Would Palestine-friends Femke Halsema (Groenlinks/Greenleft) and Dries van Agt (CDA) still find that one one to bake sweet breads with the fundies? (That is, still be buddies with the Palestinian terror groups)<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->