Arab Reaction: Scant Support for Hamas -David Pollock
Even after two weeks of fighting in Gaza, Arab officials are showing remarkably little support for Hamas, even as they express strong outrage at Israeli behavior and sympathy for Gaza's civilians.
Contrary to common perception, no evidence exists that this situation is "radicalizing" or "destabilizing" the region, or even strengthening Hamas politically. So far, Arab reactions suggest a real opportunity to weaken, isolate, and ultimately marginalize Hamas.
(Washington Institute for Near East Policy)
Even after two weeks of fighting in Gaza, Arab officials are showing remarkably little support for Hamas, even as they express strong outrage at Israeli behavior and sympathy for Gaza's civilians.
Contrary to common perception, no evidence exists that this situation is "radicalizing" or "destabilizing" the region, or even strengthening Hamas politically. So far, Arab reactions suggest a real opportunity to weaken, isolate, and ultimately marginalize Hamas.
(Washington Institute for Near East Policy)
6 comments:
True about the Arab governments response. Not so definitive about destabilizing, when it comes to the populace. It was reported by a couple of sources this weekend that the common Arab citizen is taking to the streets to demonstrate on behalf of Hamas and against Israel. This bucking the will of their own governments is, I believe, the direct result of these governments ignoring the standard of living,human rights and freedoms for their people. By keeping them repressed they have effectively ruled, but at the same time kept the people more in touch with the perceived suffering of the Palestinians, instead of with the goals of modern, educated, MidEast society.
From my reading, i've not seen the "Arab street" explosion that everyone anticipated. Of course there are noisemakers...it makes good news to show dramatic demonstrations...but the overrated Arab street is muted.
For instance, in the article featured in this post the writer points out that:
"...large public demonstrations have so far failed to materialize in most Arab countries."
I have seen some different.
Here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/10/world/middleeast/10cairo.html
"Egyptians Seethe Over Gaza, and Their Leaders Feel Heat" Talks not only of what is occurring in Egypt, but throughout Arab and Muslim nations. It is not really talking about public demonstrations, but rather what is being said in the mosques, and how groups are starting to question the legitimacy of their own governments if they are going to be tacitly siding with Israel. I think it is blindly optimistic to think the common Arab is ignoring this or thinking Israel is right. I think, because of the reasons I cited above, things could be different enough to be better for Israel if the Arab nations were better to their citizens, but it is too late for that to help in this conflict.
I think the Times article [like others] maybe overplaying this aspect. In the past the response has been much more pronounced. The muted nature of it is by comparison.
OR, the difference is that the Arab governments have chosen to keep out of it, hoping to watch Hamas fall and see Iran's influence reduced, and because of this they are not allowing their own peoples protests to get much news-play.
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