The
Failing Of Gaza
By Philip Rizk
29 June, 2007
Electronic
Intifada
The
democratically elected Hamas government was doomed to failure when the
world refused to recognize the last election outcome. Furthermore, as
the former government dominated by Fatah was not willing to hand over
the authority of government institutions and security forces, Hamas
was forced to carry out what was practically a coup d'etat in order
to take its place as sole governing body of the Palestinians and thus
be able to tackle the ever increasing lawlessness there.
Now, the new mini state of
Gaza will fail, because the world will not allow it to succeed.
Aristotle considered chaos
to be a very likely outcome of the competing interests given voice in
democracy. In Gaza, Palestinian differences have been exploited to bring
about Aristotle's predicted internal division. On a national level US
leadership is determined through a democratic process. Yet, in its foreign
policy US leadership resembles an oligarchy, a wolf in sheep's clothing
that hypocritically insists on an increased spread of democracy while
forcing its own agenda on world leaders. Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas is its latest victim forced to promote "democracy,"
yet consent to the demands of the US-aligned oligarchy. The giving in
to this duplicitous policy will, much like the Native American experience,
lead to the demise of the Palestinian cause.
The Failing of Gaza
Transportation is one of
the few sectors of Gaza's economy that is relatively constant. No matter
how dire the financial situation, collective taxis are always shuttling
people along the main roads of the Gaza Strip. This past week saw an
exception to even this rule, reflecting the severe desperation of Gaza.
There are a few reasons for this.
Many people are afraid of
what the future may bring. Militarily, Hamas has shown its domination
over Fatah by ousting the latter in 48 hours. Yet, politically, Hamas
has dug itself into a hole, with seemingly little foresight for a political
agenda of realpolitik. Because of Fatah's unwillingness to hand over
power and Hamas' weak position on the world's political stage, it is
the people who will suffer. The US and Israel are now, more urgently
than ever, trying to bring about the weakening of Hamas, for their deeper
goal of conquer and divide. Yet neither has learned that starving a
people does not break their determination, it only reinforces it. Fatah
has lost a vast amount of legitimacy in the eyes of its people, while
Hamas is being internationally weakened; as a result, the Palestinians
are more divided than ever. The oligarchy and its partners continue
to use whatever means necessary, be it force or a vernacular of promoting
the people's rights, to attain their personal interests.
In Gaza government employees,
despite being largely unpaid, still attended their work until Hamas
took over the Gaza Strip last week. Abbas's new US-backed emergency
government has called for all government employees, including the police
force, not to report for work while promising to finally pay them a
full month's salary. Economic borders with Israel are largely sealed,
slowing trade down to a trickle. Many Gazans are staying home because
of the uncertainty of their future. These are difficult days and many
save their money for the even harder times ahead.
On the Egyptian side of the
Rafah border thousands of Palestinians are once again living in tents
in refugee camps like they did in 1948. Wednesday morning Egypt declared
it would not open the border, thus effectively closing Gaza's only gateway
to the world. The emergency government canceled Palestinian passports
last week, calling for their reissuing in the West Bank. Gazans are
left without access to the rest of the world, without internationally-recognized
travel documents, with only the bare minimum of food to survive on and
are largely unemployed in a depleted economy. The Western-backed emergency
government is complicit in the creation of this sealing off of Gaza
and the further severing of Gaza from the West Bank.
How long can Gaza survive
while its civil servants are ordered to stay home by its Fatah leadership
whom they are loyal to, yet which has deserted them? How long can Gaza
go on with school teachers, ministry employees and policemen remaining
in their homes? These should answer to their elected government and
yet the oligarchy has illegitimized it and instated a puppet government,
while international leaders follow suit.
One taxi driver told me security
is more important than bread because what can one do with all the money
in the world if one doesn't have security to keep one alive to enjoy
it. Another driver told me a man can't get married and say to his wife,
"good morning, habibti, my love," and then disappear for the
rest of the day without providing for her and their home. Palestinians
cannot survive without bread.
Israeli Promises
After the Hamas military
takeover in Gaza, Olmert's government promised to ease roadblocks and
security restrictions in the West Bank. This statement was put on hold
after the Israeli army raised objections. Further promises have been
made that Palestinian taxes, illegally withheld by Israel over the past
year and a half are to be returned to the new emergency government.
The details of when and how much and if at all, still lie in Israel's
hands. Olmert was reported saying Tuesday. "We aren't deluding
ourselves ... there are concerns that Abu Mazen will be tempted to do
what he did with the Mecca agreement, and enter into a new unity government
alongside Hamas."
Israeli Minister Eli Yishai
said, "funds should be transferred to the PA in stages, in order
to determine whether it has any practical effect in terms of strengthening
Abbas."
Israel seems hardly concerned
with the legality of its actions or even its dialogue partner Abbas's
needs.
Twisting Reality
On Tuesday Egyptian President
Husni Mubarak explained, "Fatah has also committed mistakes, but
it is clear that Hamas started the whole thing and confused the world."
Mubarak rightfully points
out the "confusion" that reigns after recent events in Gaza.
Yet, the sources of this deliberate "confusion" are the world
oligarchy's leaders and its partners.
Mubarak went on to say, "Hamas
had made a dangerous mistake in allowing chaos to prevail."
On Tuesday US secretary of
state envoy to the Middle East David Welch said, "We are supporting
the legitimate security forces and enhancing them in order to establish
a Palestinian entity which will be able to provide security and stability
for Palestinian citizens, and we will be committed to this in the future."
In his leaked report retired
UN special envoy to the Middle East Alvaro De Soto contradicts such
statements, explaining, "the Americans clearly encouraged a confrontation
between Fatah and Hamas and worked to isolate and damage Hamas and build
up Fatah with recognition and weaponry."
Since Hamas has taken rightful
control in Gaza, the people have witnessed a complete turn-around in
its security situation. No civilians are seen walking the streets carrying
arms, no more gunfire is heard as was becoming the norm while Fatah
security forces dominated, reports of theft and crime are almost unheard
of and drug lords are being round up and criminals brought to justice.
Mubarak's claim of chaos prevailing under Hamas doesn't hold water and
the US's effort of training illegitimate security forces brought anything
but peace and security.
The Way Out
In addition to the rhetoric
President Mubarak also had something insightful to say Tuesday: "Unify
the Palestinian ranks through dialogue ... a common Palestinian position"
is "an immediate requirement that can bear no delay."
Indeed these two factions
so torn apart must sit together once more and find a way forward. Hamas
is calling for dialogue already. Fatah needs to prioritize their own
people's choices and silence Western voices that are tempting them with
legitimacy in the world's eyes if they concede to the oligarchy's demands.
After Hamas' election victory
early last year, Fatah was not able to come to terms with its election
loss. Sixteen months later, Fatah is still in denial of the ultimate
outcome, Hamas' seizing of power in the Gaza Strip. For Fatah, the Palestinian
national agenda seems to be buried beneath a pride and the prioritizing
of certain individuals of their personal interests tied closely to those
of the oligarchy. This could well lead to the movement's downfall while
taking the Palestinian national agenda years to recover.
Philip Rizk
is an Egyptian-German who has lived in Gaza since August 2005 where
he works and writes. Philip runs a blog: tabulagaza.com.
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