A big green model rocket adorned the stage in Gaza, against a backdrop depicting the al-Aqsa mosque. The rocket, named M-75, served as the set for Hamas celebration of 25 years since it was founded, and, more recently, its "victory" over the citizens of Israel, namely the residents of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem (who were subjected to rocket warning sirens for the first time since the Gulf War last month). The enthusiastic crowd casually ignored the fact that Israel could wipe Gaza out entirely in one second if it wanted to, or what could have happened if the rocket Hamas fired at Jerusalem had hit the al-Aqsa mosque and all its occupants. Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal and Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's dramatic entrance, flanked by their entourage and making belligerent hand gestures, completed the horror show that was Mashaal's first visit to Gaza. Mashaal was able to safely visit Gaza thanks to Israel's guns and Egypt's security umbrella. Mashaal's performance was a lesson in cheap demagoguery. He praised the rockets of the resistance and emphasized that the Palestinians Muslims and Christians alike would not quit their jihad against the "racist" Zionist entity, the enemy of mankind, until the Zionists are defeated and all of Palestine is liberated. He rejected the dismissed the PLO's statehood efforts and demanded that the organization be rebuilt on the basis of jihad and rejection of Israel's legitimacy, with the aim of permanently destroying Israel by any means, both military and diplomatic. For him, the PLO in its current format has been long dead. Mashaal wanted to ease Egyptian and Lebanese concerns regarding subversive Palestinian action, stressing that Jordan and Lebanon were not considered an alternative homeland for the Palestinians. Hamas isn't fighting the Jews, but the Zionists, he said, (an anti-Semitic hint to the self-righteous West). Mashaal challenged the West to expel the Zionist invaders from Palestine by peaceful means, if they can. Egypt's protection has given Hamas a sense of security, but the situation is delicate. Egypt itself is currently on the verge of a massive crisis due to the Egyptian opposition's resistance to the "constitution" its president Mohammed Morsi has pushed, a move that has painted Morsi to be yet another delusional tyrant. Morsi's government has now backtracked from their intention to perpetrate their religiously themed "dictatorial rape" on Egypt. Once again it was the military that provided a counterweight and prevented a descent into chaos. Meanwhile, spokesmen of the dying Syrian regime have accused Egypt and the Islamist terrorist groups in Gaza of selling out Palestine, halting weapons smuggling and planning to absorb the Gaza Strip back into Egypt. Jordanian King Abdullah II, himself in a precarious state at home, recently arrived for a largely undocumented visit to Ramallah to celebrate the recent "victory" in the political arena. Abdullah wanted to rebuff the notion that Jordan would be the alternative homeland for the Palestinians. Palestinian Authority officials, painted into a corner, stated that they would respect Hamas' 25th anniversary and promised not to arrest Hamas operatives celebrating. The PA also broadcast nationalist songs on the radio calling for the liberation of all Palestine. A televised dialogue between Hamas spokesman Salach Bardawill and PA central committee member Azam al-Achmed, made it quite clear that Hamas is not seeking unification, but a complete takeover. Unlike the fiasco surrounding the PA's celebrations of its new nonmember state status at the U.N., the Gaza Strip staged a crowded event in "victorious" Gaza. According to Al-Jazeera, Hamas' rally on Saturday was attended by some 2,500 representatives from the Arab world and from the West, including representatives from the West Bank, freed prisoners and PLO officials. Hamas' green flag dominated thousands of banners, flags and slogans, while Palestinian flags were hardly on display. In his speech, Mashaal promised more IDF soldier abductions as a means of securing the release of additional Palestinian prisoners. He also slammed the Palestinian Authority for derailing the Palestinian cause in the West Bank. The turning point that Mashaal was pointing to was the transformation of "Hamastan" (Hamas ruled Gaza Strip) into "Hamastine" including the West Bank by fire and blood. There is an Arab proverb that says: "we taught you how to beg, and now you have out-begged us." The PLO, the seasoned terrorists that brought the Palestinians their nonmember observer state status at the U.N., have been defeated by Mashaal, "the terrorist who won by firing missiles at Tel Aviv." It seems now that any discussion of a Palestinian state is a post-mortem. Western countries were too quick to support Mahmoud Abbas and his Palestinian nation. Now "Hamastine" and Jihad got their own observer state in the U.N. There is even one Israeli newspaper calling for talks with Hamas.
From Hamastan to Hamastine
מערכת ישראל היום
מערכת "ישראל היום“ מפיקה ומעדכנת תכנים חדשותיים, מבזקים ופרשנויות לאורך כל שעות היממה. התוכן נערך בקפדנות, נבדק עובדתית ומוגש לציבור מתוך האמונה שהקוראים ראויים לעיתונות טובה יותר - אמינה, אובייקטיבית ועניינית.
