Five Myths About Hamas [W:30]

[Jack Hays]

As the debate gets heated, it's useful to review the facts.eace

Five myths about Hamas

Nathan J. Brown
What the Palestinian movement is really capable of.

Nathan J. Brown is a professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University and a nonresident senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He is the author of “When Victory Is Not an Option: Islamist Movements in Arab Politics.”




When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talks about Israel’s ground offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, he says that “without action, the price that we would pay would be much greater.” But predicting how Hamas is likely to act and react requires probing what the organization can do, what it wants and how it sees itself. From Hamas’s angle, the current fighting offers just as many opportunities as threats. Let’s examine five myths about the militant Islamist organization. . . .

 

[joG]

As the debate gets heated, it's useful to review the facts.eace

Five myths about Hamas

Nathan J. Brown
What the Palestinian movement is really capable of.

Nathan J. Brown is a professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University and a nonresident senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He is the author of “When Victory Is Not an Option: Islamist Movements in Arab Politics.”




When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talks about Israel’s ground offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, he says that “without action, the price that we would pay would be much greater.” But predicting how Hamas is likely to act and react requires probing what the organization can do, what it wants and how it sees itself. From Hamas’s angle, the current fighting offers just as many opportunities as threats. Let’s examine five myths about the militant Islamist organization. . . .

Interesting. The main thing about Hamas, though, is that the population allows the attacks.

 

[Serenity]

Interesting. The main thing about Hamas, though, is that the population allows the attacks.

The population? Over 40% of the population are under 14 years of age. Please explain to me how kids can prevent militants from firing rockets into Israel when Israel (who has some of the most sophisticated weaponry in the world at their disposal) has now undertaken a ground operation into Gaza because they specifically targeted militants from the air for a week, bombed the crap out of them and rockets are still being fired into Israel.

 

[joG]

The population? Over 40% of the population are under 14 years of age. Please explain to me how kids can prevent militants from firing rockets into Israel when Israel (who has some of the most sophisticated weaponry in the world at their disposal) has now undertaken a ground operation into Gaza because they specifically targeted militants from the air for a week, bombed the crap out of them and rockets are still being fired into Israel.

The children should have been removed from the attack areas in any event and the government would have been responsible to protect its population in this way. But there is no excuse for the parents and other members of the society. They allowed Hamas to fire out of a densely populated area and that justifies practically any reaction by the Israeli, as sad as this might sound.

 

[The German]

Interesting. The main thing about Hamas, though, is that the population allows the attacks.

Gaza is effectively an islamist police state.

 

[WCH]

The population? Over 40% of the population are under 14 years of age. Please explain to me how kids can prevent militants from firing rockets into Israel when Israel (who has some of the most sophisticated weaponry in the world at their disposal) has now undertaken a ground operation into Gaza because they specifically targeted militants from the air for a week, bombed the crap out of them and rockets are still being fired into Israel.

Hamas leadership have stated they are 'luring' Israel into Gaza not only to create more photo ops but, to bog them down in an urban guerrilla war much like Mogadishu.

 

[Jack Hays]

Hamas leadership have stated they are 'luring' Israel into Gaza not only to create more photo ops but, to bog them down in an urban guerrilla war much like Mogadishu.

Mogadishu is a poor analogy. The Somalis have never faced anything like the weight of force Israel is deploying into Gaza, and the contending Somali factions would just as soon kill each other as kill any invader.eace

 

[DDD]

The children should have been removed from the attack areas in any event and the government would have been responsible to protect its population in this way. But there is no excuse for the parents and other members of the society. They allowed Hamas to fire out of a densely populated area and that justifies practically any reaction by the Israeli, as sad as this might sound.

What if they neither knew or could do much to stop Hamas from firing from densely populated areas within Gaza?

 

[DDD]

Also, I could not find the myths about Hamas. Where are these 5 myths?

 

[Jack Hays]

Also, I could not find the myths about Hamas. Where are these 5 myths?

Click the link.eace

 

[bubbabgone]

Hamas leadership have stated they are 'luring' Israel into Gaza not only to create more photo ops but, to bog them down in an urban guerrilla war much like Mogadishu.

It's almost like Hamas and their ilk are familiar with Rules For Radicals (the violent version) but I don't think Israel is susceptible to the typical reactions ol' Saul counted on.
That happens when the target party is fighting for it's survival.

 

[polgara]

Hamas leadership have stated they are 'luring' Israel into Gaza not only to create more photo ops but, to bog them down in an urban guerrilla war much like Mogadishu.

Hamas actually believes they are "luring" Israel into Gaza? :lamo: Hamas should be thankful that Israel has tolerated their childish posturing as long as they have, and shown their restraint even though bombs are being lobbed at them. What other country would tolerate this! Are all rebels this stupid? The world is watching how Gaza conducts itself - someone should tell them that using children as shields is an outstanding example of what not to do, by the way! It's apparent that Gaza needs new leadership, or they will continue to constantly lose every time!

Greetings, WCH. :2wave:

 

[WCH]

Mogadishu is a poor analogy. The Somalis have never faced anything like the weight of force Israel is deploying into Gaza, and the contending Somali factions would just as soon kill each other as kill any invader.eace

Perhaps not. But..."Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri responded with defiance to the Israeli escalation: “Netanyahu is killing our children and will pay the price. The ground invasion doesn't frighten us and the occupation army will sink in Gaza's mud.”"

http://www.todayszaman.com/world_is...f-gaza-260-palestinians-massacred_353364.html

What would you gather from that statement?

 

[WCH]

Hamas actually believes they are "luring" Israel into Gaza? :lamo: Hamas should be thankful that Israel has tolerated their childish posturing as long as they have, and shown their restraint even though bombs are being lobbed at them. What other country would tolerate this! Are all rebels this stupid? The world is watching how Gaza conducts itself - someone should tell them that using children as shields is an outstanding example of what not to do, by the way! It's apparent that Gaza needs new leadership, or they will continue to constantly lose every time!

Greetings, WCH. :2wave:

Hamas feels the need for their own Baghdad Bob moment.

 

[Jack Hays]

Perhaps not. But..."Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri responded with defiance to the Israeli escalation: “Netanyahu is killing our children and will pay the price. The ground invasion doesn't frighten us and the occupation army will sink in Gaza's mud.”"

Israel steps up ground invasion of Gaza, 260 Palestinians massacred

What would you gather from that statement?

He reminds me of Baghdad Bob.eace

 

[William Rea]

Laughable, what a crock of crap.

Big headline...

Five myths about Hamas

Big point number 1...

1. Hamas poses no meaningful threat to Israel.

Big summary proving the myth...

Hamas may never come close to vanquishing Israel on the battlefield, but changes in its capabilities — tunnels, abductions, missiles and even a drone — continue to make Israelis nervous and force them to react.

What sensationalist ****e, is this a serious newspaper?

 

[Jack Hays]

Laughable, what a crock of crap.

Big headline...

Five myths about Hamas

Big point number 1...

1. Hamas poses no meaningful threat to Israel.

Big summary proving the myth...

Hamas may never come close to vanquishing Israel on the battlefield, but changes in its capabilities — tunnels, abductions, missiles and even a drone — continue to make Israelis nervous and force them to react.

What sensationalist ****e, is this a serious newspaper?

Yes, it's the Washington Post and the OP author is a respected professor at an elite university. Perhaps the shortcoming is in your own knowledge.eace

 

[William Rea]

Yes, it's the Washington Post and the OP author is a respected professor at an elite university. Perhaps the shortcoming is in your own knowledge.eace

It appears that my shortcoming might be being able to recognise hyperbole and bs when I read it, not exactly 'Mythbusters' is it. If you're going to print stuff indicting Hamas at least make it convincing to anyone but the most partisan hacks.

When I read the first one and it says that 'Hamas poses no meaningful threat to Israel' is a myth and then summarily fails to make any case whatsoever I get suspicious but hey, maybe I have higher standards then your average Washington Post hack.

 

[Jack Hays]

It appears that my shortcoming might be being able to recognise hyperbole and bs when I read it, not exactly 'Mythbusters' is it. If you're going to print stuff indicting Hamas at least make it convincing to anyone but the most partisan hacks.

When I read the first one and it says that 'Hamas poses no meaningful threat to Israel' is a myth and then summarily fails to make any case whatsoever I get suspicious but hey, maybe I have higher standards then your average Washington Post hack.

It would appear the only partisan hackery is in your own editing. Here's the full point. The difference between existential and meaningful is important.eace

1. Hamas poses no meaningful threat to Israel.

As a movement, Hamas offers resistance — attacking civilians, launching rockets and ransoming captives — but it cannot field a military force that could face Israel on the battlefield. Indeed, all the ground combat is happening in Gaza; Israeli territory remains relatively unscathed. As of Saturday, at least four Israelis had been killed in the latest round of fighting, while Israel’s actions had led to more than 330 Palestinian deaths. So it is absolutely true that Hamas does not pose an existential threat to Israel.

However, more than Israel’s existence is being threatened. The abduction and murder of three Israeli teens last month may or may not have been a Hamas operation — but the event captured the attention of the Israeli public, and the Israeli government reacted as if Hamas were responsible. While the effectiveness of Israel’s Iron Dome antimissile system is debated — officials boast that it intercepts 90 percent of Hamas’s missiles — large parts of the Israeli population now feel within Hamas’s reach as the range of its rockets creeps higher. Some have relocated farther away from Gaza, and those who remain show signs of stress. Israel’s political, military and security leaders are focused on deterring the rocket attacks. Hamas may never come close to vanquishing Israel on the battlefield, but changes in its capabilities — tunnels, abductions, missiles and even a drone — continue to make Israelis nervous and force them to react.

 

[William Rea]

It would appear the only partisan hackery is in your own editing. Here's the full point. The difference between existential and meaningful is important.eace

1. Hamas poses no meaningful threat to Israel.

As a movement, Hamas offers resistance — attacking civilians, launching rockets and ransoming captives — but it cannot field a military force that could face Israel on the battlefield. Indeed, all the ground combat is happening in Gaza; Israeli territory remains relatively unscathed. As of Saturday, at least four Israelis had been killed in the latest round of fighting, while Israel’s actions had led to more than 330 Palestinian deaths. So it is absolutely true that Hamas does not pose an existential threat to Israel.

However, more than Israel’s existence is being threatened. The abduction and murder of three Israeli teens last month may or may not have been a Hamas operation — but the event captured the attention of the Israeli public, and the Israeli government reacted as if Hamas were responsible. While the effectiveness of Israel’s Iron Dome antimissile system is debated — officials boast that it intercepts 90 percent of Hamas’s missiles — large parts of the Israeli population now feel within Hamas’s reach as the range of its rockets creeps higher. Some have relocated farther away from Gaza, and those who remain show signs of stress. Israel’s political, military and security leaders are focused on deterring the rocket attacks. Hamas may never come close to vanquishing Israel on the battlefield, but changes in its capabilities — tunnels, abductions, missiles and even a drone — continue to make Israelis nervous and force them to react.

Even more laughable that the only counter to this is sophistry and quibbles over definitions. What happened to 'Hamas wants to destroy Israel' and the surrounding countries want to 'push Israel into the sea'. A meaningful threat would be a threat to it's existence not what is being described. The point I made was that the big headline says one thing and then quibbles and equivocates in the text exactly as you have done. What utter crap.

 

[Jack Hays]

Even more laughable that the only counter to this is sophistry and quibbles over definitions. What happened to 'Hamas wants to destroy Israel' and the surrounding countries want to 'push Israel into the sea'. A meaningful threat would be a threat to it's existence not what is being described. The point I made was that the big headline says one thing and then quibbles and equivocates in the text exactly as you have done. What utter crap.

I can only conclude that you're disappointed by the author's measured, scholarly approach to the topic. Words have meaning, and sophisticated adult discourse is precise. If that is beyond your capability then perhaps more learning and less posting should be your focus for the time being.eace

 

[polgara]

Perhaps not. But..."Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri responded with defiance to the Israeli escalation: “Netanyahu is killing our children and will pay the price. The ground invasion doesn't frighten us and the occupation army will sink in Gaza's mud.”"

Israel steps up ground invasion of Gaza, 260 Palestinians massacred

What would you gather from that statement?

He's a posturing nutcase who thinks someone, somewhere, cares what he says? I'm certain Israel is quaking in their boots in fear! :mrgreen:

 

[joG]

What if they neither knew or could do much to stop Hamas from firing from densely populated areas within Gaza?

Form experience with other populations that allowed aggression, pogroms, slavery and mass murder those would be the normal excuse.

 

[joG]

Gaza is effectively an islamist police state.

So? What do you want to say? That the population bears no responsibility for what its elite does?

 

[DDD]

So? What do you want to say? That the population bears no responsibility for what its elite does?

Try scared to do much about it for they have their families to take care of. For their neutrality they may be being punished unjustly. Further increasing the Hamas numbers.

This may be a Hamas recruiting technique?