Rival faction accuses Hamas of bringing upon a ‘worst catastrophe than 1948,’ pointing out the bloody 2007 coup and wondering if Hamas would be interested in appointing a Prime Minister from Iran.
Remember that Hamas and Fatah were opposing parties in the Palestinian political landscape. When Hamas won the election in 2005, it was very clear who the West preferred. Fatah criticizing Hamas is nothing new, and in fact is in line with what to expect, given western support is conditional on them condemning Hamas.
I feel like this paints Hamas in a much more forgiving light that it deserves. Hamas "won" the election after a violent campaign of intimidation and even then only by a plurality. While Fatah has many flaws, it's not a religio-fascist organization prone to arbitrary violent cruelty. Yes, Fatah criticizing Hamas is nothing new, but more because they're fundamentally opposed groups than Western preferences.
EDIT: It's been pointed out to me that I was wrong about the context of Hamas' election and sources seem to back this up. While Hamas IS a violent religio-fascist organization, its violence against its electorate and opposition parties did not escalate until a few years after they were elected to a clear majority.
The accusations came in response to Hamas’s critique of the appointment of new Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, described as a close partner of President Mahmoud Abbas.
Hamas said this appointment was an “individual decision,” claiming that the PA is “being preoccupied with formal steps devoid of substance,” and arguing that the new Palestinian government would lack national consensus.
“And did Hamas consult the Palestinian leadership that is now negotiating with Israel and offering it concessions after concessions, which have no goal other than securing guarantees of personal security for its leadership to receive, and to try to reach an agreement with [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu to maintain its divisive role in Gaza and the Palestinian arena?” it asked.
Fatah also wondered why they and their families fled Gaza and left the Palestinian people to face a “brutal war of extermination” without any protection.
Hamas has shown increased popularity in the Palestinian street, recording major successes in local and student elections.
According to a poll conducted by Khalil Shikaki during the temporary ceasefire of December 2023, the terrorist group has enjoyed more popularity since the October 7 massacre.
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