Hamas: Moderating or Consolidating?
Hamas is dealing with strife in the Gaza Strip, fighting against an Al-Qaeda linked group called Soldiers of the Supporters of God. This group called for the establishment of an Islamic Emirate in Palestine and for the territory to be governed solely by Sharia Law, says a report on Al Jazeera English.
While there is mixed reviews from Palestinians over the appropriateness of Hamas’ crackdown, it could be an important message set to the United States. During the crackdown, the leader of the movement, his son and an aide were killed, along with at least 13 other fighters for the splinter group. Hamas lost 6 of their security forces and six civilians were also killed, including an 11-year old girl.
The question becomes, is Hamas moderating from a terrorist force into a semi-legitimate national leadership? After little response to a surprising defeat in Lebanon and now this crackdown on a Political Islamist organization, the easy answer isn’t quite as easy. Hamas is still labeled a terrorist organization, and there’s no questioning that label, when you consider the rocket attacks on Israel, suicide bombings and the hate mongering they facilitate and encourage. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t a moderating tone.
How far that moderation goes is the question. Is the crackdown of the Soldier of the Supporters of God a sign to the US that Hamas will contain these extremist groups, if they are allowed to maintain their control of the Gaza Strip?
Would you be interested in dealing with a moderated Hamas, or do you think the US should not recognize any organization with terrorist backgrounds?
