Welcome to Politics, Hamas

Major Mike

The Israeli incursion into Gaza is ushering Hamas into the political age. As the responsible (that hurts to say) government in the newly manufactured territory of Palestine, they are now getting a lesson in Political Science 101.

Being in power also means being responsible...being responsible for the functioning of the government and the facilitating of life within society.

The kidnapping of and Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, who is now being held under threat of being “butchered,” is now the clear responsibility of the Hamas controlled government. And they are faced with a choice…diffuse the situation and act like a responsible governmental entity, or remain a terrorist organization cloaked in a governmental facade.

Clearly, Israel cannot be held hostage by a terror state posing as a legitimate government, and they must respond with due force to prevent an “officially” sanctioned, Hamas supported, offensive of kidnappings. Kidnappings obviously designed to perpetuate the history of uneven prisoner exchanges Israel has participated in, in the past. Shame on them for their past poor judgment, but they are correct at this time in refusing such an offer to facilitate the return of Cpl. Shalit.

The Israeli strategy is likely to force the Hamas government out into the daylight, and Hamas finds itself at a crossroads of decision making…are they going to transition away from an terroristic organization, and seek legitimacy through their civil actions, or are they going to remain a terror group hiding behind a mask of governmental “legitimacy?”

A government concerned for its people would facilitate the return of Cpl. Shalit and seek a negotiated release of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners the Israelis are holding. This would avoid any unnecessary bloodshed amongst the Palestinians, show good faith towards Israel, and be the type of responsible governmental action that would propel the Palestinian territories, and their questionable government towards legitimacy.

But the threats of “butchering” Cpl. Shalit only highlight the opposite. It shows Hamas possesses nary a speck of political aptitude. It shows that it has no respect for the lives of its citizens, as they will allow the Israelis to kill or injure many Palestinians as they attempt to portray Palestinians as “the victims.” Their vicious and brutal threats expose them as the wolves in sheep’s clothing we all knew them to be…they are erasing any doubt, and they are frittering away any opportunity to legitimize themselves in the foreseeable future.

Israel is right to find this out, and they are right to find this out sooner rather than later. Their forcible response will set the stage for all Hamas activity going forward…terrorist and governmental. They need to grasp this abject lesson in Political Science 101…responsible governments act responsibly.

If they don’t get this…I am inclined to think that they will get a form of interaction with Israel that is more Chicagoan than diplomatic in nature. This exchange from “The Untouchables” comes to mind.

Malone: You said you wanted to get Capone. Do you really wanna get him? You see what I'm saying is, what are you prepared to do?
Ness: Anything and everything in my power.
Malone: And *then* what are you prepared to do? If you open the can on these worms you must be prepared to go all the way because they're not gonna give up the fight until one of you is dead.
Ness: How do you do it then?
Malone: You wanna know how you do it? Here's how, they pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That's the Chicago way, and that's how you get Capone! Now do you want to do that? Are you ready to do that?

I suspect that Israel is "ready to do that" in order to send the most forceful message possible to Hamas. This small incursion is just the beginning, if Hamas cannot evolve itself out of a terrorist organization, and into a legitimate political one, and fast.

Update: Today Shimon Peres agrees with me...

"They have to decide if they're a government or if they belong to a terroristic organization," Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres said, explaining the Hamas arrests. "

And he gives them a lesson on turning up the political "heat"...

"Their arrests were not arbitrary. They will be put to trial, and they will be able to defend themselves in accordance with a legal system which is internationally recognized."

Wecome to Politics Hamas...it is time to act "governmental" or continue to be unveiled as a terror organization masquerading as a government. It is obvious to most of us that Hamas is using the citizens it is supposed to be governing as pawns in their terror driven agenda. They have gained political advantage, but they were not prepared for their victory...they are reflexively retreating to what they know...terror, and it is failing their citizens and bringing the area to near full scale war.