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Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniyeh (Archives) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 09:26 16/12/2007 ANALYSIS: Despite its troubles, Hamas is toeing the radical line By Avi Issacharoff and Amos Harel Tags: Hamas, Israel, Gaza  The organizers of Saturday's rally in Gaza, which marked 20 years since Hamas' founding, were delighted by the turnout - an estimated 200,000 people. Yet this impressive demonstration of strength cannot hide the Islamic organization's distress. The division between "Hamastan" in the Gaza Strip and "Fatahland" in the West Bank is deepening; Gaza's economic distress is worse than ever; and Hamas' leadership is riven by a battle between the (relative) pragmatists, headed by the Damascus-based head of its political office, Khaled Meshal, and Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniyeh, and the radicals, led by the head of its military wing, Ahmed Jabari. This dispute was not evident at the rally, where all the speakers toed the radical line. Haniyeh lauded Hezbollah's activities in Lebanon and Al-Qaida's in Iraq and Afghanistan, linking them to Hamas' operations in Gaza to argue that only "resistance" (i.e. violence) succeeds. He said Hamas will never recognize Israel and has made resistance its strategic choice. Meshal, in a recorded speech, made similar comments, urging another intifada and swearing "we will not concede an inch of Palestine." B Advertisement ut even such fighting words cannot conceal the criticism the organization has suffered since its takeover of Gaza in June. Every public opinion poll since then has shown its popularity declining. Palestinians increasingly view Hamas as a cruel, dictatorial and frighteningly religious organization interested mainly in consolidating its position - a radical image change for a group once viewed as religious nationalists who dedicated much of their efforts to helping Gaza's poor. The organization appears to be losing its place in the Palestinian consensus. None of this means that Hamas' grip on Gaza has weakened. Moreover, both the rival government in Ramallah and the international community are acting as if the Palestinian Authority still controlled Gaza: The aid requests the PA will present to donor states in Paris tomorrow relate extensively to the Strip. Pretending that Hamas does not exist is apparently more convenient for both the PA and the world than actually dealing with its control of Gaza. Israel, however, does not have this luxury. Contrary to the impression sometimes created in the media, neither the government nor the army is eager to invade Gaza. There have even been estimates that such an operation would cost the lives of 100 soldiers. Nevertheless, the General Staff sees only a narrow window of time - a few weeks to a few months -- in which it would be possible to launch an operation that would fall short of reoccupying the entire Strip. That window will close the moment Hamas solves two technical hurdles: extending the Qassams' range beyond 15 kilometers and learning how to store the rockets for long periods, thereby enabling it to stockpile them. It is close to solving both. And once it does, any operation in Gaza will be much costlier, involving more casualties in southern Israel, while the army's room to maneuver will be much smaller. Within both the army and government, a debate is raging over when the proper moment will arrive. The fear is that we might discover we have closed the stable doors only after the horses have fled. Related articles: Haniyeh: Gaza funeral blast part of Fatah conspiracy to sow chaos Top Fatah official abducted by Hamas gunmen in Gaza Strip Qassam hits Negev factory as gov't declares 'special situation' Bookmark to del.icio.us No rights The gov't won't grant rights to Palestinians west of fence, according to a report. Right to a child The Welfare Min. is launching a policy that would allow single-sex families to adopt.   1.   Haniyeh links Hamas to Al Qaida and other terrorist groups 03:21  |  Gina 16/12/07   2.   Negev Residents UnImportant 03:38  |  Straight Talk 16/12/07   3.   Mishal`s confidence is also owing to the fact that he has 03:39  |  lakshmi 16/12/07   4.   SOLUTION: Hamas, Etc. In Gaza And Fatah In The West Bank. 05:27  |  Proud Pal Defender 16/12/07   5.   "Ain Breira".. 05:45  |  Henry 16/12/07   6.   Cut Supplies 06:21  |  Ron 16/12/07   7.   Repeat idea; trade Kassams for fuel 06:46  |  Marabu 16/12/07   8.   lakshmi (any relation to the soccer player?) 07:24  |  Marabu 16/12/07   9.   Haniyeh lauded Al Qaida in Iraq and Afghanistan 08:59  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 16/12/07   10.   Ever notice.... 09:35  |  Gary 16/12/07   11.   hamas-haniyeh,lakshmi 09:47  |  joe 16/12/07   12.   Gaza is The State of Palestine `in peace` with Israel. Enuf proof 10:11  |  Pavel 16/12/07   13.   you`ll have to excuse me for not buying the line... 10:50  |  eric 16/12/07   14.   Target Haniyeh Pure and Simple 10:57  |  Jon Isenberg 16/12/07   15.   typical Israeli syndrome of waiting 11:29  |  JS 16/12/07   16.   Wishful thinking 11:37  |  Moshe 16/12/07   17.   International donors funding jihad 12:34  |  KUTW 16/12/07   18.   1. Gina: Haniyeh links Hamas to Al Qaida and other terrorist g 12:38  |  KUTW 16/12/07   19.   We love Hamas 12:41  |  Palestinian 16/12/07   20.   eric in nm 12:44  |  Mark T 16/12/07   21.   # 20 to mark t 13:49  |  eric 16/12/07   22.   To Gary (Ever notice ...) 14:00  |  Muslim 16/12/07   23.   Where`s the Beef? 14:07  |  Reader 16/12/07   24.   Eric---13 15:21  |  Mark T 16/12/07   25.   Muslim---22 18:20  |  Mark T 16/12/07   26.   #22 It`s the occupation stupid 00:02  |  BBSNews 17/12/07   27.   # 24 to mark t 01:16  |  eric 17/12/07   28.   27 eric 03:05  |  Mark T 17/12/07   29.   BBSNews occupation 03:11  |  Mark T 17/12/07   30.   # 28 to mark t 04:59  |  eric 17/12/07

Today Online Haniyeh tells Hamas rally: We will never recognize Israel Responses: 313 Zvi Barel: In the end, the IDF will go into the Gaza Strip Responses: 159 Qassam strikes Negev home; toddler lightly hurt Responses: 99 Ehud Asheri: Israeli Arabs are right to skip Israel's 60th Responses: 83 Was Hollywood's most famous censor an anti-Semite? Responses: 53 Rosner's Domain Without the Reform movement in Israel, there's no Reform movement Guest: Americans say there's no need nor point in creating Palestinian state Who believes in intelligence reports? So, Should American Jews have a voice in shaping Israel's policies? More Headlines 03:04 U.S. weighs plan to help Egypt block arms smuggling to Gaza 04:08 Senior U.S. official visits Israel to hold high-level talks on Iran 05:01 Cabinet okays renewing controversial Temple Mount Mugrabi excavation 02:26 States attending PA donors' summit to urge Israel to remove W. Bank roadblocks 01:14 Top yeshivas sever ties with Jewish Agency program MASA 22:20 Report: Gov't won't grant rights to Palestinians west of fence 03:31 Shas says will block plan to allow gay couples adopt children 23:50 Prosecutors to charge Moshe Katsav's brother with sexual harassment 03:05 Qassam strikes Negev home; two-year-old toddler lightly hurt 20:30 2 years after appointment, Israel okays Greek Orthodox Patriarch Previous Editions Select Day 16 dec 14 dec 13 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 07 dec 06 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec

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