U.S. Democracy Double-Standard: We Embrace Lieberman, Reject Hamas

[ProgressiveMuslim]

Feb 11th, 2009 by Richard Silverstein

U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood…referring to the possible inclusion of anti-Arab right wing Yisrael Beiteinu in the future coalition said “It’s not for the U.S. to make this kind of characterization, it’s the choice the Israeli people made.
–Haaretz

Yes, Hamas was elected, but Hamas was also elected to act responsibly, and Hamas has not acted responsibly,” says Secretary Rice. “…They have refused to renounce violence. It’s very hard to imagine a partner for peace that refuses to renounce violence and refuses to recognize the right of the other partner to even exist.
–NPR

Thanks to Phil Weiss for pointing out the utter hypocrisy of the U.S., which claims it’s more than happy to accept an Israeli government including racist Arab-hater Avigdor Lieberman, while it refuses to endorse Hamas which won an even larger percentage of the Palestinian vote than Lieberman.

When it comes to Israel, our standards seem to be a bit lower than when it comes to the Palestinians, who must be pure as driven snow before their democracy can be recognized as legitimate.

http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2009/02/11/us-democracy-double-standard-we-embrace-lieberman-reject-hamas/

[LeftishBrit]

1. The thought of 'embracing' either makes me feel rather ill...

[ProgressiveMuslim]

2. Care to comment on the substance? nt

[LeftishBrit]

3. Firstly, I don't think that the US should be making such comments pre-emptively

Let the Israeli parties sweat a bit about the possible international consequences of including the far-RW in the coalition. That might deter them from doing so. The Americans should comment only *after* the government is formed.

It's not quite the same things as Hamas - for that, Lieberman would have to not only join the coalition, but then rule unilaterally - indeed, for an exact parallel, he would have to start executing Kadima members who tried to negotiate with the Palestinians, or otherwise rejected his authority!

However, my basic points stand:

Neither country should be boycotted or blockaded purely on the basis of whom they elect to government.

All parties should be invited to the negotiation table - though it's up to them whether to accept.

Hamas and Yisrael Beiteinu are revolting RW-ers!

[ProgressiveMuslim]

4. LB, do you honestly believe that Hamas, without provocation, began executing

Fatah members in the summer of 2006?

Do you really believe those are the facts?

[LeftishBrit]

5. Define 'provocation'

In my analogy, you will note, I didn't speak of Lieberman executing Kadima members for fun; I spoke of his doing so if Kadima members tried to make peace with the Palestinians or did other things to which he objected.

If your question is really "Is the violence between Fatah and Hamas totally one-sided?", well, of course, no it isn't; there has been too much violence and killing on both sides. However, it does seem to be greater on the side of Hamas. This may be in part simply because Hamas has more power. However, they do seem quite ruthless about killing other Palestinians.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

9. I'm saying: what do you believe are the facts about the coup of 2006?

[inthebrain]

7. I think Hamas executes ANYONE without provocation

Unless you want to define "provocation" as that is a subjective term.

Those guys go after their own just as much as the do the Isrealis. Their latest weeding out came during the last Isreali assault. Those thugs pulled home raid, beatings amd killed the very same people they claim to be fighting for.

Hamas only cares about establishing it's place amongst the ruling elites. They don't give a shit about the Palestinians at all.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

8. And from what extensive knowledge base do you draw your conclusion?

This is utter nonsense.

[inthebrain]

10. Try Amnesty International

I posted a thread here last night about the report.

You were noticably absent on it for obvious reasons.

[delad]

6. to be expected really