Hamas: A roadblock on the path for peace
              (by Anthony-George D'Andrea)

The problem of peace in the Middle East has been discussed to a point where one would think that it can not be discussed anymore. However, with new attacks in the region, attempted and failed peace treaties and new political parties springing up, it seems as if the material for such discussions is never ending. From the Egyptian President Sadat making his way to Jerusalem in search of peace, to President Bill Clinton calling both leaders of Israel and Palestine to Camp David, it seems as if Israel and Palestine have been through everything except a true peace.

There are continuous distractions from peace occurring in the Middle East, and recently it has come in the form of the Islamic Resistance Movement - or Hamas - a political party quickly gaining popularity in Palestine. This recent political growth in Palestine leads many to wonder what this might mean for a Palestinian state and the peace that many people await.

The Fatah faction, which was founded by Yasser Arafat, has been the dominant and leading political force in Palestine for decades. However, despite a win for the Fatah faction in January 2005, recent polls show that the Hamas movement is gaining more popularity, especially in populous areas. To understand the importance of this change in the polls, we must observe the Hamas movement, their aims, and if they would be able to truly aid the people of Palestine.

Hamas plays a large role in the Palestinian community, helping people in both religious and social aspects of life. They aid in building schools and hospitals in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. However, these good-natured actions are backed by deeply rooted beliefs, which unfortunately undermine all the good that they might do for the Palestinian people. Hamas does not recognize the right of Israel to exist. With short term aims of completing Israeli withdrawals from Palestinian territory and long term aims of creating an Islamic state on the land which was originally mandated to Palestine, the Hamas movement appears to be overwhelmed with this 'problem' of Israel's existence. Hamas has been known to back these aims with marketing and violence against Israelis.

It is for this reason that Ariel Sharon fears the upcoming election, which takes place on July 17th. If Hamas can muster enough votes to have an influence in Gaza, it can pose a serious threat to Sharon's promised withdrawal. Israel would not want to hand over power in Gaza to a militant group whose aims focus on its destruction. It is here where Hamas' strong running in Palestine begins to cause problems. Because of their growing popularity, Sharon has postponed the beginning of the withdrawal for three weeks, which ends up being about three weeks after the July election. Palestine and Israel, who have been looking to finally build a path for peace, look as if they have run into another roadblock.

The rising popularity of Hamas makes Sharon reluctant in quickly withdrawing from Gaza. If he does not keep his promise to withdraw, the peace that is looked forward to by many countries all over the world will most likely fail. However, if Hamas wins the election in July and Sharon keeps his promise of withdrawing, Hamas' aims will not change and the denial of Israel's existence may lead to offensive actions. While Hamas may please their Palestinian supporters, they will be met by an equal, if not larger amount, of Israelis who do not support them.

On 18 May 2005, a scuffle involving an Israel air strike on Hamas left one Palestinian militant dead. The past few months have been relatively quiet since the cease-fire was declared on 8 February 8 2005. Unfortunately, all it takes is an incident like a skirmish or bomb, and all talks for peace in the Middle East could be called off. The Israelis and Palestinians, both being proud people, are not expected to allow such incidents to go on without a reaction. Such retributive actions can determine the status of the Middle East for the next few years, until tempers are calmed.

In mentioning this incident, it becomes clear that Hamas has the potential to cause more of these scuffles and in doing so, lessen the chances of a peaceful Middle East. If Hamas wins the July election, or a fair portion of the seats in office, a near peace in the Middle East does not look realistic. Only one thing is certain: the Israelis and the Palestinians both exist side by side and neither is going to get up and leave. Until this is understood, true peace will never be accomplished. Movements such as Hamas only provide those opposed to peace in the Middle East with false hope that one day they might be able to rid themselves of the problem of the Israelis. It is for this reason that Hamas, in the long run, provides Palestinians with more problems than ones that they claim they can solve.

Sources

Barzak, Ibrahim. "Violence Threatens to Halt Mideast Talks." Las Vegas Sun. 18 May 2005. 29 May 2005 <http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/w-me/2005/may/18/051808154.html>.

Farrell, Stephen. "Hamas poll successes put Gaza withdrawal in doubt." Time Online. 10 May 2005. 29 May 2005 <http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,251-1605741,00.html<.

Johnston, Alan. "Hamas mounts bid for Fatah's crown." BBC News. 6 May 2005. 29 May 2005 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4522713.stm>.

"The Islamic Resistance Movement ‘Hamas'." My Israel Source. 29 may 2005 <http://www.myisraelsource.com/content/hamascharter>.

Westcott, Kathryn. "Who are Hamas?" BBC News. 19 Oct. 2000. 29 May 2005 <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/978626.stm>.

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