Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., January 26, 2009 Shvat 1, 5769 | | Israel Time: 13:21 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Is Israel deliberately strengthening Hamas?
By Amira Hass
Tags: Hamas, Amira Hass, Gaza 

Click here for more articles by Amira Hass

Let's not be dragged into calculating how many tons of rice, flour and cooking oil there are in the Gaza Strip 10 days after Israel once again hermetically sealed all the crossings into the enclave. Let's not count the number of children who wait for a nutritious meal at UN Relief and Works Agency schools, and the number of families to whose doorstep Hamas delivers boxes filled with grocery staples. (There are those who swear that these groceries are only given to Hamas members and supporters.) Let's not calculate the number of people dependent on their families for sustenance. There is food in the Gaza Strip, and there will continue to be. Does anyone really think that Israel, the state of the Jews, would allow 1.5 million people to be tossed, crowded and crammed, behind the barbed-wire fences and watchtowers surrounding the narrow strip and starve to death?

Let's leave aside the stories of darkness, of how children do (or don't do) their homework by the light of a candle or kerosene lantern. Let's even put off the discussion on the serious environmental hazards - pollution of the groundwater and sea - posed to the people of Gaza and Ashkelon alike as a direct consequence of the intentional fuel shortage, or of Israel's refusal to permit the entry of pipes to upgrade the water and sewage infrastructure. Let's not go now into descriptions of how the sewage flows directly into the sea because there's not enough electricity to operate the sewage treatment plant. Let's not talk about fears that sewers will back up in the winter and flood residential neighborhoods because parts needed to fix the treatment plant were not brought in.
Advertisement
Let's not get dragged into that number crunching, into reducing the Palestinians' lives to a near-animal level, to a humanitarian problem that is easy to prove is not as bad as it can be.

The deliberations over the Palestinians and the methods of coping with the blockade should be converted into a discussion about the Israelis - about those who make policy and the many diligent people who carry it out, about the many citizens who support and encourage it. Instead of discussing quantities of diesel fuel and flour, the talk should be of the logic behind the siege and those who impose it.

People in the Israeli cabinet, Defense Ministry and Shin Bet security service know full well what they are doing when they prohibit anything other than essential food or medicines from passing through the checkpoints, when they prohibit the entry of raw materials and the exit of agricultural and industrial products and prevent normal human traffic for studies, medical care, work or family. Don't underestimate them and don't belittle their judgment. They knew perfectly well when they decided more than two years ago on the tightest closure of the Gaza Strip since the closure policy began in 1991, that industry would collapse, agriculture would wither, tens of thousands of young people would join the jobless and hopeless, that it would be hard for schools to operate and education would suffer, that sewage would back up and seep into the drinking water, that water would no longer reach the upper floors of apartment buildings.

This policy was presented to the Israeli public in a semiofficial manner as a justified punishment of the Palestinians for electing Hamas (and to hell with international law). "Quarterofficially" we know there was an expectation, or a prediction, that the siege would cause the Gazans to loathe Hamas and end its government in Gaza (after it lost its official grip on the West Bank). That was certainly the hope of the Ramallah government.

Gazans have a bellyful of complaints, and rightfully so, about the Hamas regime. It has already proven itself - mainly to Fatah members - as a regime of fear and repression. But the kind of punishment tactic currently in force is exactly what strengthens Hamas. Instead of the movement being judged according to its ability to run a government and meet its governmental obligations to ensure its citizens' welfare, it can blame the emergency situation created by the siege for every manifestation of immaturity and unprofessionalism.

The public feels that the government is part of it. Like the public, the government is a target for the occupation's cruelty. The brutal siege also saves Hamas from having to cope with the contradiction between its platform (the liberation of all of Palestine) and its integration, despite its denials, into the institutions created by the Oslo Accords. If Israel jeopardizes the lives of premature babies and causes business owners, including supporters of Oslo and Yasser Arafat, to go broke, the Hamas government can present itself as resisting the occupation by its very nature. The extraordinary conditions of the extreme siege and the disconnection between Gaza and the West Bank (another intentional Israeli policy) have made the possibility of holding new Palestinian general elections a very distant one. Hamas can thus bolster its rule with coercion, wages, charity and the consoling power of religion.

And perhaps that is exactly what the Shin Bet, Israel Defense Forces and government want?

Related articles:
  • Amira Hass / How we busted the naval siege on Gaza
  • Listen to Hamas
  • Dealing with Hamas / 'Tahadiyeh light'
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Disturbing trend
    Jewish Agency says Anti-Semitic acts in Jan. 2009 triple last year's records.
    After the war
    IDF gains in Gaza have softened Israel's stance on Shalit deal.
      1.   The solution. 08:32  |  Mario Sala 17/11/08
      2.   Israel is doing it the American way 09:46  |  MiddeStanian 17/11/08
      3.   What`s the problem? 09:50  |  JonathanInTelAviv 17/11/08
      4.   Noble sentiment (#1 Mario Sala) but it is not politically correct 10:01  |  David G 17/11/08
      5.   AMIRA living too long with conspiracy theorists 10:39  |  PETER SM 17/11/08
      6.   Let`s also NOT mention Ms Hess 10:44  |  Ari ben Yisrael 17/11/08
      7.   Hamas already strong... 10:53  |  Gee 17/11/08
      8.   Strengthening Hamas .... 12:00  |  Brad 17/11/08
      9.   #1, #4 Ethnic cleansing 12:29  |  Boycott 17/11/08
      10.   Olmert, Barak and Livni deliberately strengthens Hamas 12:44  |  Conrad 17/11/08
      11.   Amira Hass standard pseudo-journalism 13:00  |  Joe Sittizen 17/11/08
      12.   BOYCOTT Suddenly you discover morality when it suits you. 13:02  |  PETER SM 17/11/08
      13.   Is Amira Mossad`s agent? 13:15  |  Absolute Sweden 17/11/08
      14.   NOT THAT FAR AMIRA 13:18  |  indrajaya 17/11/08
      15.   I`m surprised by this article 13:28  |  SDHD 17/11/08
      16.   I`m sorry #1 13:34  |  sasha 17/11/08
      17.   does amira hass have any credibility??? 13:52  |  larry 17/11/08
      18.   Amira Hass 13:53  |  Ralph 17/11/08
      19.   #9 Boycott needs a reality check 14:25  |  Alicia 17/11/08
      20.   Amira Ham-ass,why do you complain? 14:36  |  Hastaroth 17/11/08
      21.   If you call paying someone to leave ethnic cleansing 14:40  |  David G 17/11/08
      22.   #9 I suggest you also look at Kirkuk 14:59  |  David G 17/11/08
      23.   Freeing Gaza of its embargo. 15:27  |  sandra chitayat 17/11/08
      24.   Unbelievable one-sidedness! Nothing about Qassams, terror, etc, 15:40  |  S 17/11/08
      25.   Amira Hass has a point here 15:47  |  tristan 17/11/08
      26.   Boycott: but ethinically cleansing Jews from Gaza is correct? 15:49  |  Ephraim 17/11/08
      27.   Ephraim? try to pay attention 16:04  |  gaza never yours 17/11/08
      28.   Ephraim, sorry you`re sick 16:31  |  Moshe Chertoff 17/11/08
      29.   Hamas is a tool 17:05  |  ScotGuy 17/11/08
      30.   Amira`s argument, the blockade is not effective as a solution to 17:16  |  Jacob Blues 17/11/08
      31.   #22 Ephraim 17:26  |  Boycott 17/11/08
      32.   Scot guy - who made Israel? the antisemites of history 17:37  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 17/11/08
      33.   Hamas is a tool? 17:44  |  Moshe Chertoff 17/11/08
      34.   #200 David G. What price will buy you. 17:47  |  Labhras 17/11/08
      35.   Settlements were illegal 17:51  |  Marilyn 17/11/08
      36.   if they are it would be 17:51  |  cool 17/11/08
      37.   Ari ben Yisrael - Siege/Incursions equal rockets... 18:05  |  BBSNews 17/11/08
      38.   #32 Margie fr SA so u are saying there was no Israel before 1947 18:08  |  Labhras 17/11/08
      39.   "S", people like you are responsible for Qassams... 18:14  |  BBSNews 17/11/08
      40.   Madge, Israel *did* create Hamas... 18:27  |  BBSNews 17/11/08
      41.   Amira is so obviously right 18:31  |  Keith T. 17/11/08
      42.   Re: Marilyn # 34 18:35  |  Angel 17/11/08
      43.   the Olmert regime needs calm from Hamas before the election 18:41  |  zionist forever 17/11/08
      44.   Not Israel, but Amira Hass is deliberately strengthening Hamas 18:52  |  Genuine Tosefta 17/11/08
      45.   Lets leave aside hamas refusal 19:18  |  peter 17/11/08
      46.   #42 Angel 20:08  |  Boycott 17/11/08
      47.   No, but Amira Hass is. 20:13  |  Fortuna Benmayor 17/11/08
      48.   Re: Peter # 45 20:30  |  Angel 17/11/08
      49.   Instead of attacking the author 20:59  |  Dave Duncan 17/11/08
      50.   Ari Ben Yisrael Just Can`t Get Over It 21:00  |  Yaakov Sullivan 17/11/08
      51.   Why not help improve Palestinians lives? 21:33  |  Kumar 17/11/08
      52.   Genuine Tosefta (#44) No she wasn`t 21:37  |  Gil 17/11/08
      53.   Duncan and attacking the author 22:09  |  SDHD 17/11/08
      54.   Kumar and improving Palestinian lives 22:20  |  SDHD 17/11/08
      55.   # 1 to mario sala re: don`t count on it 04:31  |  eric 18/11/08
      56.   Escaping the cycle 05:30  |  Michael 18/11/08
      57.   keeping with israel`s "Modus Operandi" 05:37  |  eric 18/11/08
      58.   and SDHD thinks he knows what the situation is 06:08  |  from San Deigo 18/11/08
      59.   Silent, Slow And Deliberate Murder 07:46  |  Gray 18/11/08
      60.   hass can`t see much: she has her head stuck up her backside. 08:12  |  dante 18/11/08
      61.   Hey Dave Duncan, dude, man... 08:17  |  BBSNews 18/11/08
      62.   keeping with israel`s "Modus Operandi" (2nd try) 08:48  |  eric 18/11/08
      63.   32 - Margie in Tel Aviv 09:07  |  ScotGuy 18/11/08
      64.   33 - Moshe Chertoff 09:17  |  ScotGuy 18/11/08
      65.   #1 mario 11:47  |  sek 18/11/08
      66.   Re: Gray # 56 18:23  |  Angel 18/11/08
      67.   Angel; Why Focus On Israel?,,,? Billion$ of reason$ 00:25  |  Gray 19/11/08
      68.   Re: "Silent, Slow and Deliberate Murder" 00:40  |  Angel 19/11/08
      69.   Post#11 hit it right on the head 01:37  |  Ken Jurist 19/11/08
      70.   Re Gray # 67 08:13  |  Angel 19/11/08
      71.   Angel; With Another Zionist "White Flag"... 08:59  |  Gray 19/11/08
      72.   IRGUN - What would they have done? 19:55  |  DAT 02/12/08
     Read & React
    Livni: Israel should strike Hamas again to halt arms smuggling
    Responses: 44
    Amir Oren: 'Decisive' Gaza offensive merely rehearsal for next crisis versus Iran
    Responses: 8
    Netanyahu: Likud-led government wouldn't build new settlements
    Responses: 36
    Akiva Eldar: Saudi plan offers Israel united front with Arab states against Iran
    Responses: 10


    More Headlines
    11:52 Egypt to Hamas: Take Gaza truce before Netanyahu is PM
    12:30 Veteran ultra-Orthodox MK Avraham Ravitz dies aged 75
    11:24 Iran MPs plan Gaza visit to praise Hamas resistance against 'Zionist offensive'
    12:54 Sky News joins BBC in refusing to air Gaza fundraiser
    13:16 Lecturers say IDF officer who justified Gaza strikes should not teach law
    10:14 Nine held for allegedly attacking Israeli Arabs in Upper Nazareth
    10:36 Netanyahu: Likud-led coalition wouldn't build new settlements
    12:12 Survey: Most Israelis want Benjamin Netanyahu to be prime minister
    13:17 IDF rabbinate publication during Gaza war: We will show no mercy on the cruel
    10:35 Haaretz probe: Unknown overseas sources paid MK Lieberman NIS 2.5m
    10:51 2 hurt, 1 seriously, after light plane crashes near Beit She`an
    04:42 EU presses Egypt to take action against Gaza arms smuggling
    11:27 Number of laid-off Israelis set new high in December
    07:41 U.S. businessman Guma L. Aguiar gives $8m to Nefesh b'Nefesh
    07:43 Program launched to bring all Jewish teachers worldwide to Israel
    04:43 Court to state: Let foreign media into Gaza when borders open
    04:45 Egypt evacuates Rafah area, fearing IAF strike on Gaza
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved