What do Zionists want? A compliant, powerless and occupied Palestine. Step up, AIPAC:
Pro-Israel lobbyists and legislators have become unexpected cheerleaders for the Palestinian leadership after the new Fatah-led Cabinet took action against Hamas.
In a memo sent out to congressional offices this week, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee commended the new Palestinian government for “taking important steps needed for peace” and for breaking ties with Hamas, which now rules Gaza.
“If followed with consistent action, these promising steps can serve as the foundation for negotiations with Israel,” the Aipac memo reads.
Separately, Rep. Steve Israel, a New York Democrat, traveled to Ramallah to visit with the new Palestinian prime minister, Salam Fayyad. Congress will soon vote on funding for the Palestinians, and Israel said he is now more disposed to supporting the aid.
“I want to see performance and benchmarks before making a decision,” Israel said, “but while in the past I did not want to see money go to a government headed by Hamas, I am now more willing to hear of aid for a government which excludes the Hamas.”
In many ways, it’s revealing to read the real attitudes of Zionists in the US. Denying the reality of Hamas is exactly what they did decades ago to the PLO and Arafat. Eventually, Arafat was invited to the White House (then humiliated by the Israelis once more.) Hamas can probably expect similiar treatment. But this time there is a major difference. Hamas enjoys massive popular support in Palestine. It is at least partly funded by Iran. The Iraq war has strengthened Iran in the region. And Hamas isn’t going to disappear simply because the US and the West boycotts it.
So, the latest Washington moves are typical of Zionists that only want to hear Palestinians talking “peace” on their terms and giving up national goals. What they’ll find, however, is increased resistance to the occupation and never-ending war. Exactly as planned, of course. Wonderful for fund-raising, you see.