Pursuing the Course

by Hassan A. Barari

Meetings are being held between the Palestinian national and Islamic forces in Gaza in order to come up with, inter alia, what to do in case the Israelis relinquish the Strip.

While this is not the first time that different Palestinian factions hold a dialogue, Hamas' proclamation that it would like to share power is a novelty. This Islamic Resistance Movement's desire to share power in Gaza has the potential of propelling the organisation to prominence. Should this happen, it would be the first time that Hamas assumes a conscientious political task. It remains to be seen how this will be played out, but one point is clear: power moderates.

Hamas has been playing the opposition role ever since the Palestinian National Authority was established. From that position, Hamas was unwavering in rejecting all agreements signed by the Israelis and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. To take part in a government entails to contend with reality; moderation will ensue, albeit at a slow pace.

Eventually, Hamas leaders will recognise that world public opinion does matter. Employing suicide bombings as a tactic against the Israelis is seen worldwide as terrorism. Despite the fact that the Palestinians are fighting for a noble cause, there is need to realise that it is necessary to play politics based on the real assessment of the imbalance of power with the Israelis and to be sensitive to world public opinion. Suicide bombings have not helped the Palestinians realise their national goals of self-determination and independence.

Now, with the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and the prospect of an Israeli pull out, Hamas leaders need more than ever before to conduct a circumspect policy vis-