Reply #167: you mentioned something earlier...

[Shaktimaan]

Hamas is just Israel's latest red herring to distract from the occupation and colonialism that has not stopped for 40 years, save two months during the Rabin administration.

I just wanted to say that I think you are very very wrong about this. Hamas is central to the breakdown of the left's plan for peace in Israel. If you talk to Israelis about this it is a real concern of theirs in terms of moving forward.

I feel like you're looking at this as though Israel is using Hamas to justify its actions to the outside world. But the reality is that this is all about internal Israeli politics. Cast Lead did nothing at all to help Israel internationally. It certainly did not bring them increased sympathy or draw attention away from the conflict at large.

And it is disingenuous to suggest that Israel has done nothing to mitigate settlement or the occupation... the opportunities during both Oslo and the Gaza pullout were seen as threats by Hamas, (as they were steps towards a negotiated settlement) who responded with increased terrorism and violence to both.