Gaza Returns to the 13th Century

Tomorrow on PBS' Frontline, they explore the Gaza Strip now that Hamas is in power:

Hamas’s victory in January has brought several changes to the region. “We are facing a lot of sanctions,” admits Zahar, “but believe me the Arab states are going to help us.” There also has been a flowering of Islamic fundamentalism, including a total ban on alcohol and a return to the veil for increasing numbers of women.

So many things to pick out of this one paragraph. First, the Arab states didn't help the Palestinians in 1948, 1956, 1967 or 1973. They pushed them to incite violence and promised them that they would destroy Israel. Instead, the Israeli's whooped them and the Palestinians--at least those that heard the Grand Mufti's warnings--fled and have been in camps ever since. Those that stayed are productive members of Israeli society.

Did Jordan help? No, they banished Arafat and waged war against them. Lebanon? Egypt? Syria? Again, no help.

As for the "flowering" of fundamentalism; perhaps al-Qaeda and the other radical elements such as Egyptian Islamic Jihad and the Muslim Brotherhood have promised that if Hamas enforces the Koran to their liking, they will help beat Israel. It ain't gonna happen. Instead, the Palestinian people are living under conditions harsher than they ever faced under Arafat.

They blame the US and Israel of course.

Hat tip: LGF