Internet Revelations

 

by  Jennifer Rubin

 

Muslim youth glued to the computer screen. 60 percent Internet penetration. The literacy rate (not computer, but what’s on the page) is over 90 percent. Where is this outpost of modernity and intellectual freedom? Gaza. Yes, the supposed ”hell hole” of the Middle East — the alleged virtual prison — is doing quite a bit better than its Arab neighbors. And the oppressors whom the people must outwit are not the Israelis but Hamas:

One of our first meetings in Gaza was with a Palestinian student group begun by an NGO called Mercy Corps to encourage youth to get involved in their community. These students began using the Internet to organize their activities and broadcast their charitable mission. They posted short films, for example, about their campaign to bring food to poor areas. The group grew from 10 to over a thousand in just a few months.

Although the group was not overtly political, Hamas nevertheless deemed it a threat and demanded that it stop meeting. But these students were already connecting through the Internet in ways that Hamas cannot track. During our meeting, the discussion centered on how they protect themselves online using “tunneling software” and other techniques that prevent Hamas from identifying and targeting them.

And, oh by the way, one reason for the high level of Internet usage in Gaza is “the proximity of the Palestinian territories to Israel, which is the region’s leader in Internet development.” No need for esteem-building NASA programs for them.

To put it differently, Israel’s alleged “eyesore” puts to shame the rest of the “Muslim World.” Imagine how much better off Gazans would be if their fascistic Hamas jailers disappeared. The anti-Israel left have always gotten it wrong (on many counts, but one particularly relevant here). They want to “free” the territories from Israel? That, at this point, would be a disaster for Palestinians and Israelis alike. It’s Hamas that needs to be ousted. I bet those computer geeks would be happy about that.

 

Jennifer Rubin

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