How can anyone support Hamas? This is like supporting Bush and his right wing extremists. Hamas is a right wing movement (some might even say extreme right wing). Why a democrat would support such a movement? The enemy of my enemy is not my friend. I understand the struggle for freedom and it's a noble cause but don't sacrifice the lives of the same people you say you love for the sake of an idea. The goal doesn't justify the means because the means affect the goal. If the means are bad the goal, once achieved will always be grotesque and deformed.
Both Hamas and Fatah are struggling for the same ideal. They differ only in the modality they want to get to it. Fatah is following (now, under Abbas) exactly the strategy that is dear to us - negotiations, discussions, trying to improve a little the lives of those poor Palestinians in the meantime.
Fatah lost elections, it's true, and they gave up the power to the democratically elected Hamas. But Democrats lost the elections to republicans too. Winning the elections didn't empower or legitimate Bush to do anything he wanted. And when he did his stupidities and abuses, we, here at KOS opposed him and them with all our hearts. So, why, someone that is against abuses, against right wing rhetoric, someone who is for human rights, someone who is for freedom of religion, why, I ask, would support a movement that stands against all our believes.
Do we believe in the power of guns or in the power of love? We know that guns will never solve anything. Then, why, would someone applaud the fratricide fight Hamas started ?
I know, they were boycotted, I know, they were starved by US and Israel. US and Israel could do it without opposition from their own people exactly because of the inflexibility of the Hamas' leaders. The same inflexibility that we hate so much at Bush. In politics one need to talk, to negotiate. This is our way.
I am sad when I think of the women and men who voted for Hamas in the hope that it will rid them of Fatah's corruption. This vote was a vote for a better life and not for fighting in the streets and summary executions. The democratically elected government had the obligation to listen to them. But, no... It's easier to shoot the gun then improve the life when it's not you, the leader, who pays the bill. It's the poor woman and poor man that voted for a better life. They, the people of Palestine, struggle for freedom and self determination in their search for a better life, for dignity and self respect. They do not struggle for their leaders to have the power of shooting the ones that dare to say their opinion.
I think that Hamas has done their violent move because they lost the popular support and they needed a bold move to keep the power. I say this because excuses and rhetoric (right or wrong) can buy you support only for a limited time (see Bush), but then you have to show some results.
So, in conclusion, my question remains: "How can anyone support Hamas?"
Note:
The original title was "how can a democrat support ..." which was wrong and correctly has been sanctioned. Thank you Jhritz for suggesting a new title!