“With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you—the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites …” (Psalm 83:5–6)
Just when it seemed that the future of the terrorist group Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, was uncertain due to pressures from Egypt, the Palestinian Authority has given it new hope with the new unity deal.
Hamas has been struggling with a severe economic crisis ever since Egypt embarked on a campaign to destroy hundreds of smuggling tunnels connecting the Gaza Strip and the Sinai.
The recent shift on the part of the Palestinian Authority toward a unity deal with Hamas rather than a peace deal with Israel has given Hamas renewed legitimacy and strengthened its control over the Strip.
The possible deal may be the best gift Hamas could have hoped for, according to Islamic analyst Khaled Abu Toameh. (Gatestone Institute)
The true face of unity—brothers in arms: Militant Fatah and Hamas fighters featured together on Fatah’s Facebook page. (Photo PMW)
While PA President Mahmoud Abbas may view the move as a means of pressuring Israel to make far-reaching concessions in the name of peace, Hamas sees it as an opportunity to improve relations with Egypt and even possibly take over the Palestinian Authority.
Furthermore, a recent post on Fatah Facebook depicted the two groups now united as armed militants.
The post included a photo of two heavily armed, masked militia—one Fatah and one Hamas—and the quotation, “Men’s shoulders were created only to carry rifles. Either we will be mighty above the earth, or we will be bones in it.” (Algemeiner)
Hamas strategist Mahmoud al-Zahar also recently stated that it would not recognize Israel in any unity government with Fatah.
It is well known that Hamas only wishes to see complete domination of the Jewish state by Arabs, and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal recently reaffirmed the commitment to holy war against Israel.
Speaking last week by phone to hundreds of Palestinians attending the funeral of Hamas terrorists Adel and Imad Awadallah, Mashaal emphasized, “Our path is resistance and the rifle, and our choice is jihad.” (JPost)
Khaled Mashaal
Meanwhile, around the world, international organizations continue to fund the aspirations of Hamas terrorists under the guise of aid.
But Canada has taken steps to stop the flow of money on its home turf after a Canadian charitable organization’s careless record keeping resulted in loss of tax-free status.
Recently, the Canadian government declared that International Relief Fund for the Afflicted and Needy (IRFAN-Canada) was a terrorist organization when a 2010 Canadian Revenue Agency tax audit revealed strong links to Hamas affiliates.
“All Canadians should be alarmed that millions of dollars were raised in Canada to support a foreign terrorist group with a long record of suicide bombings and other attacks against civilians,” stated the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs in response. (Toronto Star)
