As the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported yesterday, "The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution recommending no dealing with a Hamas-led government." No controversy there, right? Who would offer a dissenting view about Hamas' role in the Palestinian elections? Would you believe GOP Rep. Henry Hyde, the powerful chairman of the House International Relations Committee?
According to the Congressional Record (click to download a PDF version of the relevant page, page H281), Hyde said on the House floor:
I do not agree with [House Democratic Rep. Gary Ackerman (NY)]. I think that having Hamas, with all its flaws, participate in the democratic process, something alien to their spirit, is a sign of strength on our part, not weakness. And I think the effort, a legitimate effort, to help bring into the democratic process all of the dissident elements is worth it because, unless this situation gets solved, staring at each other with muscles flexed and weapons cocked gets us nowhere. But we shall see.
"With all its flaws?!"" To which of Hamas' flaws could Rep. Hyde be referring.... wanton terrorism? The continuing commitment to annihilate Israel? Apparently such "flaws" do not disqualify Hamas from participating. This from the GOP's foreign relations point person in the U.S. House of Representatives???
Democrat Gary Ackerman set the record straight in response (click to download the relevant PDF page from the Congressional Record, page H282):
...[M]y concern about allowing Hamas to participate in the election is not just my opinion. This was part of the Oslo Accords, to which the Israelis and Palestinians both agreed and signed. It is a governing document that no group that participates in violence and commits themselves to the destruction of the other will be allowed to participate in the election. That is the law. That is the doctrine. I just express my dismay that our President, with his great leadership against terror, would take a pass and lean on the Israelis to allow this election to take place with Hamas.
Click here to read what House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi had to say about the measure, and click here to read House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer's remarks on this important issue. As for GOP Chairman Hyde's views on Hamas' participation, well... they speak volumes.
It is sad that many of our fellow Jewish Community just don't get it when it comes to people like Hyde.
I saw this live on cspan and I couldnt believe my ears (especially on something that was known was going to be unanimous) that he coukd put such a positive spin on Terrorists.
http://atowncrier.blogspot.com/2006_02_12_atowncrier_archive.html#114010862551778644
Posted by: The Town Crier | February 16, 2006 at 03:55 PM
I'm a yellow dog Dem through & through, but I'm with Hyde on this one. No one thinks Hamas is pure as driven snow. No one is confident that Hamas can change its stripes or that it even wants to.
But there may be a chance, just a chance that this could happen if Israel & the U.S. play their cards right. Introducing draconian measures threatening Hamas w. dire consequences if they do this or don't do that doesn't get us anywhere. It only reinforces the same old propagandistic responses that ea. side has had toward the other fr. time immemorial.
I'm with Tom Friedman on this: test Hamas; see how much flexibility there is behind its rhetoric. Don't torpedo Hamas before it even gets going in terms of running the PA. If you are overtly hostile to Hamas that only plays into the hands of its rejectionist wing. If you are more patient, then you just might be rewarded by real change on the part of Hamas.
Do I know that I am right on this? No. But do I know that all out war on Hamas fr. the U.S. Congress is the wrong way to go. You bet.
Posted by: Richard Silverstein | February 18, 2006 at 04:19 AM
I can't believe that so many of our fellow Jews are joining the GOP even in light of the Republican's wanton hypocrisy on Israel. It is as if they are wilfully ignoring the Democrats' better record on Israel for their own selfish interests.
Posted by: Vikram Jagadish | February 20, 2006 at 05:24 PM
Hamas has indicated it has no intention of negotiating with Israel.
It has called for the destruction of Israel.
Anyone who talks about flaws in Hamas.
Just imagine sitting in a cafe in NYC, Chicago,
L.A., or any large U.S. City, and you live in fear of a
suicide bomber setting off a charge.
Or shopping in a super market.
In reply to above, Thomas Friedman was wrong about the P.L.O, and definitely wrong about
HAMAS.
HAMAS wants no Israel.
They have made that quite clear.
Posted by: Malcolm peskoff | March 29, 2006 at 11:16 AM