"DAMASCUS, (PIC)-- Hamas has asserted that it did not bear any grudge against Egypt but underlined that closing the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza reflected an "inhuman image" that was not popularly welcome in Egypt itself.
Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk, the deputy political bureau chairman of Hamas, told Quds Press on Tuesday that there was no dispute between his Movement and Egypt.
He added that no serious problems existed between the two parties despite the campaign waged by Egyptian media following the Shujaia events.
The Hamas leader ruled out that his Movement would look for another intermediary in the issue of the exchange of prisoners with Israel, adding that the Egyptians are called upon to endorse what has been agreed upon.
Hamas harbors no negative attitude towards Egypt and the rallies by MPs and Hamas leaders along with Palestinian masses at the Rafah crossing did not reflect a "collapse" in the relations between Hamas and the Egyptian government, Abu Marzouk underlined."
Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk, the deputy political bureau chairman of Hamas, told Quds Press on Tuesday that there was no dispute between his Movement and Egypt.
He added that no serious problems existed between the two parties despite the campaign waged by Egyptian media following the Shujaia events.
The Hamas leader ruled out that his Movement would look for another intermediary in the issue of the exchange of prisoners with Israel, adding that the Egyptians are called upon to endorse what has been agreed upon.
Hamas harbors no negative attitude towards Egypt and the rallies by MPs and Hamas leaders along with Palestinian masses at the Rafah crossing did not reflect a "collapse" in the relations between Hamas and the Egyptian government, Abu Marzouk underlined."
COMMENT: Hamas seems to be stuck and flailing around, and that is not reassuring. Abu Marzouk is basically second in command, so his views must reflect the view from the top.
One day Hamas implies that Egypt is a partner with Israel in the suffocating siege, which is true. Now Hamas says that it "harbors no negative attitude towards Egypt!" Previously Hamas expressed frustration that Egypt seems to be acting as a messenger for Israel in the prisoners negotiations, and some in Hamas suggested replacing Egypt as a mediator. Now Abu Marzouk rules that out. A few days ago Hamas expressed anger that Egypt (with US training and equipment) is blowing up, using poison gas, and flooding with water the tunnels under the border with Rafah. This systematic campaign by Egypt, with USraeli instructions has killed dozens of Palestinians. So, Egypt is more than a partner with Israel in the siege; Egypt is actively killing Palestinians desperately trying to smuggle badly needed basic survival necessities.
This lack of clarity, and I would say confusion, on the part of Hamas goes beyond just playing politics. I am afraid it represents the absence of a real strategy. One day Palestinians are massed at the crossing and Hamas threatens to storm the ghetto wall. Next day Hamas says that it has no intention of storming the wall!
Hamas blew it when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians revolted in a mass uprising that toppled the wall; a move that captured the world's imagination. After that Hamas fell into the trap I warned against at the time. The Pharaoh bought time to absorb the popular anger and energy (in both Gaza and Egypt itself). Hamas cooperated with the Egyptian "security" goons to reseal the border. Hamas bought empty promises by the Pharaoh, promises he never intended to keep. Now a new and stronger ghetto wall has been built by the Pharaoh and Hamas is still buying empty promises by the Pharaoh about opening the Rafah crossing and about the prisoner exchange.
When will Hamas learn? Or is it more than just learning. I am afraid that this reflects the nature of the movement and its strategy in coming to power. Let us not forget that Hamas grew out of the Muslim Brothers movement in Egypt and it still has strong ties with that movement. Muslim Brothers' strategy is to come to power through elections and not to form a social and political revolution. The same strategy is being followed in Jordan. The problem is that the Usraeli-dominated regimes in Egypt and Jordan are not stupid, and will not allow real elections that will permit the Islamists to come to power. Therein lies the predicament of the Muslim brothers and Hamas.
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