Bridge for Sale Alert. Hamas, evidently believing that it really could lose some funding from Western dhimmis, is now singing a moderate tune. All that in the Hamas Charter about destroying Israel? Empty talk! Killing Israeli civilians, which killings Hamas celebrated at its website up until a few years ago? Deplorable!
Only the most foolish and eager to be fooled will fall for this — which probably includes the State Department and Downing Street.
From the Sydney Morning Herald, with thanks to JE:
Aziz Dweik, the Hamas-nominated Speaker of the council, sits in his office juggling mobile phones, all with a different piece of stirring music as the call sign. He has the air about him of a politician enjoying his victory.
Dr Dweik, by way of introduction – warm, smiling, welcoming – wants to make it clear that the Hamas cabinet consists mainly of people like him, professionals and academics, some of whom, like him, have studied abroad.
The idea, he says, that Palestinians are all ignorant terrorists is a lie cooked up by the Israelis and the Bush Administration.
Dr Dweik, a longtime Hamas member and leader, studied for his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania and has fond memories of his time there. He professes great affection for many Americans and says some are still his close friends….
He goes on to say that he does not want to throw the Israelis into the sea, not at all. He values human life and Hamas has stuck by its declared truce and will continue to stick by it.
If Israel came up with a deal that offered Palestinians a true state, that too would be considered.
“In the meantime, we have work to do, laying down the ground for real democracy and transparency and getting rid of corruption. That is our first priority. We want to repair our economy. Then we must give our people some measure of social justice. And we want to promote international peace. We want international support.
“OK, yes, it happened, we did suicide attacks but now there is a truce. We deplore any action where civilians are killed, yes, including Israeli civilians. We are a moderate Islamic movement. We are not terrorists. We are freedom seekers. Please, tell your readers, please help us secure this goal.”