The Talibanization of Gaza. - Part II

A Liability for the Muslim Brotherhood

2^nd  part of 2

by Jonathan Schanzer

 

Ikhwani State ?

According to a Human Rights Watch report in April 2009, Hamas violations had "not stopped since major hostilities ceased on January 18." The report documented "14 more killings between January 18 and March 31, 2009."[61] In mid-April, Maan News Agency reported that Hamas gunmen had shot three Fatah members in the legs.[62] In June, Hamas police opened fire on a peaceful demonstration in Gaza City, wounding three civilians.[63] In July, Hamas police opened fire on a wedding party in Beit Lahia after participants raised a portrait of a Fatah activist who was killed in the June 2007 fighting.[64]

The Hamas regime does not justify these actions with Islamist rhetoric. Rather, it deflects criticism by pointing out a multitude of similar Fatah violations (illegal arrests and torture) in the West Bank against Hamas loyalists. The Islamist group has admitted on occasion that the ongoing civil war is regrettable, but is quick to allege Fatah collaboration with the reviled Israelis and Americans.[65]

The Muslim Brotherhood, for its part, has largely remained silent regarding Hamas' continued violation of human rights in Gaza and its reflection on the wider Muslim Brotherhood movement. According to a high-ranking member of one of the Egyptian opposition parties, the Brotherhood has instead elected to pay lip service on the need for Palestinian unity, stress the importance of Egyptian government efforts to bring Hamas and Fatah together, and focus on Israeli policies that have had a deleterious impact on Gaza's civilian population.[66] Indeed, while the Brotherhood remained silent during two years of misrule in Gaza, the organization's leader, Mohammed Mahdi Akef, called upon his supporters to launch a jihad for the Palestinians in Gaza during Operation Cast Lead.[67] Similarly, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), which has been identified by the FBI as front organization for the Muslim Brotherhood in America,[68] launched a 2008 campaign to "send 20,000 letters to Congress advocating an end to Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip," but has remained silent on the issue of Hamas' misrule in the beleaguered territory.[69] Thus, if any Muslim Brotherhood leaders or associated organizations have confronted Hamas over the group's governance in Gaza, they appear to have done so beneath the radar.

While the Brotherhood's silence prevails, there have been fleeting attempts to apologize for Hamas' misconduct. In one article that appeared on its website, for example, Hamas is described as an "exceptional case" because it "doesn't govern an actual state." Moreover, the website claims that it "should not be treated as representative of political Islam, since it remains a violent group that hasn't yet renounced terrorism."[70] Hamas has reinforced the dangers associated with Muslim Brotherhood governance, namely the admixture of Islamism, political violence, and authoritarian rule. Whether this impacts deleteriously its Western outreach or long-standing popularity on the Arab street is yet to be seen.

 

Jonathan Schanzer

Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.

 

Notes

 [1] Maan News Agency, "Hamas Has No Intention of Establishing an Islamic State in Gaza, Says Haniyeh," August 20, 2007, www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=24848. See also PLO Executive Committee Chairman Yasser Abed Rabbo's accusation at Maan News Agency, "PLO leader: Hamas Wants Islamic Emirate in Palestine," November 22, 2008, www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=33433
[2] IkhwanWeb, "Habib Clarifies MB Stance Towards Hamas, The Palestinian Cause," June 12, 2008, www.ikhwanweb.com/article.asp?ID=17258§ionID=76
[3] IkhwanWeb, "MB Denies Helping Hamas Break Into Egypt's Borders," April 17, 2008, http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.asp?ID=17258§ionID=76
[4] Hamas Charter, www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm
[5] Palestinian Center for Human Rights, "Black Pages in the Absence of Justice: Report on Bloody Fighting in the Gaza Strip from 7 to 14 June 2007" (October 2007), www.pchrgaza.org/files/Reports/English/pdf_spec/Gaza%20Conflict%20-%20Eng%209%20october.pdf.
[6] Amnesty International, "Occupied Palestinian Territories Torn Apart by Factional Strife," October 24, 2007, pp. 29–33, http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE210202007.
[7] Palestine Center for Human Rights, "Black Pages in the Absence of Justice."
[8] Khaled Abu Toameh, "Haniyeh Calls for Palestinian Unity," Jerusalem Post, June 15, 2007, www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1181813039625&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
[9] Judith Sudilovsky, "Rosary Nuns' Compound Ransacked, Looted during Fighting, Catholic Gaza Priest Says," CNS News, June 19, 2007, www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=24449.
[10] Catholic News Agency, "Gaza Christians Under Islamic Threat," August 17, 2007, www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10148
[11] Maan News Agency, "Corpse of Christian Resident of Gaza Discovered," October 7, 2007, www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=25738.
[12] Conal Urquhart, "Persona Non Grata in Gaza," The Guardian, October 22, 2007, www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2196828,00.html.
[13] Shelley Neese, "Who Will Speak for Gaza's Christians?" Jerusalem Connection (Sept–Oct 2007), p. 9.
[14] Khaled Abu Toameh, "Muslim Gunmen Target Christians in Gaza," Jerusalem Post, December 8, 2007, www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1196847287392&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter. See also Ryan Jones, "Gaza Christians Living under Growing Islamic Threat," CNSNews.com, August 16, 2007, www.cnsnews.com/news/viewstory.asp?Page=/ForeignBureaus/archive/200708/INT20070816c.html.
[15] Maan News Agency, "Unknown Assailants Blow Up Christian Youth Organization Library in Gaza," February 15, 2008, www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=27804
[16] Judith Sudilovsky, "Christians Say Conditions in Gaza Worsen for Them, Moderate Muslims, Catholic News Service, February 19, 2008, www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0800959.htm
[17] Maan News Agency, "Undercover Gunmen Blow up Entrance to Rosary Sister's School in Tal al-Hawa," May 16, 2008, www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=29315.
[18] Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, "Unknown Assailants Attack on El-Manara School in Gaza City for the 2nd Time," June 1, 2008, www.pchrgaza.org/files/weapon/english/2008/report26.html
[19] Khaled Abu Toameh, "Church official, wife beaten and robbed in Gaza," Jerusalem Post, July 23, 2009. www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277866043&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
[20] "Palestinian Christians face even more trouble in Gaza," January 6, 2009, www.mnnonline.org/article/12113
[21] Amnesty International, "Occupied Palestinian Territories Torn Apart by Factional Strife," pp. 16 and 36.
[22] Maan News Agency, "Executive Force Leader Admits to Violence and Torture in Gaza," August 19, 2007, www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=24813.
[23] Maan News Agency, "Five Fatah Men are Hospitalized in Gaza after Being Kidnapped and Tortured," September 5, 2007, www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=25165.
[24] Palestinian Center for Human Rights, "PCHR Calls for Investigation into Methods of Torture Practiced by Palestinian Police in the Gaza Strip," November 19, 2007, www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2007/164-2007.html.
[25] Palestinian Center for Human Rights, "PCHR Concerned by Detention of Khan Yunis Governor and Fatah Activists by Gaza Internal Security Apparatus," May 20, 2008, www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/50-2008.html
[26] Saudi Gazette, "Hamas Frees Senior Fatah Sympathizer," December 26, 2007, http://saudigazette.com.sa/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43387&Itemid=146.
[27] Taghreed El-Khodary and Isabel Kershner, "Gaza Is Tense as It Tallies Casualties," New York Times, January 2, 2008, www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/world/middleeast/02mideast.html.
[28] Maan News Agency, "De Facto Interior Ministry in Gaza Uncovers 'Most Dangerous Network of Collaborators,'" October 24, 2007, www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID25987.
[29] Khaled Abu Toameh, "Hamas Torturing Fatah Members in Gaza," Jerusalem Post, January 19, 2009.
[30] Human Rights Watch, "Under Cover of War: Hamas Political Violence in Gaza," April 19, 2009, www.hrw.org/en/reports/2009/04/19/under-cover-war
[31] "Fatah Publishes Names of 181 Claimed Killed, Shot or Maimed by de facto Government Forces in Gaza," Maan News Agency, February 2, 2009, www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=35455
[32] Maan News Agency, "Gaza Interior Minister Vows to Hunt Down Collaborators," July 26, 2009, www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=214565
[33] Taghreed al-Khodary, "Hamas Police Force Recruits Women in Gaza," New York Times, January 18, 2008, www.nytimes.com/2008/01/18/world/middleeast/18gaza.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss.
[34] Amnesty International, "Occupied Palestinian Territories Torn Apart by Factional Strife," pp. 14–15.
[35] Taghreed El-Khodary, "Gaza: Life under Hamas Rule," Arab Reform Bulletin 5, No. 9 (November 2007), www.carnegieendowment.org/files/novemberkhodary1.pdf.
[36] Reuven Ehrlich, "Hamas Imposes an Islamic Social Code in Gaza," Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, August 31, 2007, www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/islamization_e.htm
[37] "Hamas Pushes for Sharia Punishments," Jerusalem Post, December 24, 2008, www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1229868840606
[38] Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook, "Hamas Denies Sharia Penal Code," Palestinian Media Watch, December 26, 2008, www.cbn.com/CBNnews/508501.aspx
[39] Rami Almeghan, "A Gaza Military Court Sentences A Collaborator to Death," International Middle East Media Center, February 22, 2009, www.imemc.org/article/58972
[40] Palestinian Center for Human Rights, "Military Court in Gaza Sentences 3 Palestinians to Death," March 11, 2009. www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/34-2009.html
[41] Diaa Hadid and Ibrahim Barzak, "Gaza Judge Tells Female Lawyers to Wear Headscarf," Associated Press, July 26, 2009. http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_16025/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=UIKvs962
[42] AKI, "Middle East: New Jihadi Cells Multiply in the Gaza Strip," October 8, 2007, www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Security/?id=1.0.1399729803
[43] Haaretz, "Suspected Vice Squad of Muslim Militants Targeting Gaza Internet Cafes, Music Shops," June 3, 2007, www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/833956.html
[44] Al-Arabiya (Arabic), "They Say They Are Fighting "The Non-Believers That Worship Satan," October 5, 2007, www.alarabiya.net/articles/2007/10/05/39972.html
[45] Sarah El Deeb, "More Beards, Less Political Talk in Gaza," Associated Press, June 29, 2007, www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/29/AR2007062901388_pf.html
[46] Reuven Ehrlich, "Hamas Imposes an Islamic Social Code in Gaza."
[47] Khaled Abu Toameh, "Hamas Sets Up New Security Force," Jerusalem Post, July 31, 2007, www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1185789792658.
[48] Khaled Abu Toameh, "Palestinian Journalists Say Hamas's Decision to Issue Its Own Press Cards Is 'A Dangerous Step,'" Jerusalem Post, October 17, 2007, www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1192380585358.
[49] Al-Jazeera, "Hamas Bans Unregistered Protests," August 13, 2007, http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E99185EF-7F95-4360-BFEB-8EC9ED85C8C3.htm.
[50] Sarah El Deeb, "Hamas Widens Gaza Crackdown with New Press Restrictions," Associated Press, November 14, 2007, http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=3865380.
[51] El Deeb, "Hamas Widens Gaza Crackdown."
[52] Khaled Abu Toameh, "Palestinian Journalists Say Hamas's Decision."
[53] Maan News Agency, "Union of Palestinian Journalists Claims Hamas Militias Targeting Their Members," November 6, 2007, www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=26160.
[54] Board of the Foreign Press Association, "Statements 2007," November 14, 2007, www.fpa.org.il/?categoryId=406.
[55] "Palestine Updates: Freedom of the Press," Arab Reform Bulletin, November 2007, www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=19783&prog=zgp&proj=zdrl,zme#press
[56] Reporters Without Borders, "Palestinian Authority—Annual Report 2007," www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=20774.
[57] Deutche Presse-Agentur, "Hamas Ministry to Censor Internet Sites in Gaza," May 19, 2008, www.southasianews.com/255554/Hamas-ministry-to-censor-Internet-sites-in-Gaza-.htm
[58] Deutsche Presse Agentur, "Hamas Bans Distribution of Palestinian Dailies in Gaza Strip," July 28, 2008, www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/hamas-bans-distribution-of-palestinian-dailies-in-gaza-strip_10077013.html
[59] Agence France Presse, "German Broadcaster Says Hamas Tortured Cameraman, August 1, 2008, www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/08/01/1217097469167.html
[60] Reporters Without Borders, "Operation Cast Lead: News Control as a Military Objective," January 2009, www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=30310
[61] Human Rights Watch, "Under Cover of War: Hamas Political Violence in Gaza," www.hrw.org/en/reports/2009/04/19/under-cover-war, p.1.
[62] Maan News Agency, "Az-Za'arir: Hamas Men Shot Three Fatah Members in the Legs in Jabaliya," April 17, 2009, www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=37173
[63] Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, "Policemen Fire on Peaceful Demonstration Injuring Three Civilians," June 15, 2009, www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/78-2009.html
[64]Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, "PCHR Condemns Police Assault on Wedding Party of al-Madhoun Clan in Beit Lahia," July 15, 2009, www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/89-2009.html
[65] Khalid Amayreh, "When will the Ramallah regime wake up?" Palestine Information Center (an official Hamas website), January 5, 2008
[66] Author's phone interview, July 26, 2009.
[67] Al-Quds al-Arabi (London), January 2, 2009, as cited in www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/12619.htm
[68] See "U.S. vs. Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development," CR NO. 3:04-CR-240-G. Filed September 4, 2007.
[69] Council on American-Islamic Relations,"Action Alert #534: Help Send 20,000 Letters to Congress on Gaza Crisis," February 14, 2008, www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=763&&ArticleID=24230&&name=n&&currPage=2
[70] Shadi Hamid, "When Islamists Wield Power," IkhwanWeb, January 13, 2009, www.ikhwanweb.com/Article.asp?ID=19036&LevelID=3&SectionID=81

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