Palestinian terrorist group and political party Hamas has a big problem: It’s caught between its ideological absolutism and the desire of those it governs to lead more prosperous, peaceful lives.
The tension is shown by escalating protests Hamas now faces across Gaza.
In recent days, hundreds of young Palestinians have been detained and numerous residences and businesses raided by Hamas security forces. This crackdown on Gazans is a function of Hamas’ inextricable political identity: the organization has no solution for that which troubles Gaza, and a natural impulse towards violent control. Yes, Israel’s blockade makes things worse for Gaza. But there’s no question that Hamas is primarily to blame for Gazan suffering.
First off, Hamas has grotesquely mismanaged the Gazan economy. Failing to empower business formation and instead embracing corruption and patronage, Hamas makes it extraordinarily difficult to find a decent job in Gaza. The absence of a functioning economy has meant goods shortages are far worse than they would be under the Israeli blockade alone. Palestinians recognize as much, especially in regards to Hamas’ corrupt control over the economy (which is similar to that of Iran’s revolutionary guards).
Still, even were it to recognize its own failings, Hamas couldn’t fix the situation. After all, its senior leaders, Khaled Mashal and Islmail Haniyeh, are the primary beneficiaries of the corruption!
But that’s just half of Hamas’, and Gaza’s, problem.
In Hamas’ dedication to Israel’s destruction, the group inevitably also destroys political space for compromises with the Israeli government. The comparative economic and political benefits that Israel affords the non-absolutist Fatah in the West Bank offers a stark example of how Hamas could improve Gaza were it not so fanatical.
But that’s the whole problem here: Hamas, at its core, is defined by unyielding fanaticism. It exists to purge Israel of Israelis. It cannot entertain the alternate route of even tentative political moderation: doing so would disregard its very essence. In turn, we see Hamas’ predictable response to its internal difficulties: repression at home, alongside violence against Israel in a pathetic effort to win compromise. Of course, considering the Israeli elections in April, there is very little appetite in Israel to help Hamas.
Thus, it’s the Palestinian people who will continue to suffer most.
