Gazans afraid of Hamas

I’m never going to get tired of posting about this.

The Hamas op-ed that made the rounds of the major U.S. newspapers:

“Palestinians want, on their terms, the same thing Western societies want: self-determination, modernity, access to markets and their own economic power, and freedom for civil society to evolve.”

[…] Our stated aim when we won the election was to effect reform, end corruption and bring economic prosperity to our people. Our sole focus is Palestinian rights and good governance. We now hope to create a climate of peace and tranquillity within our community.

The reality today:

According to the survey, 58 percent of respondents said they are now afraid to express their political views following the Hamas takeover, and 60% say Hamas’s paramilitary police, known as the Executive Force, has done a poor job respecting individual rights.

It also found 52% of respondents consider Abbas’s government to be the legitimate Palestinian ruling authority, while only 26% favor the Hamas government led by Ismail Haniyeh. Sixty-four percent said they trust Abbas, compared with 36% who trust Fatah.

In another blow to Hamas, 72% said they support a final peace agreement with Israel, and 55% called on Hamas to change its position toward Israel.

Nearly three-quarters said they support Abbas’ call for new elections – a position opposed by Hamas. It said 42% would vote for Fatah, with just 15% support for Hamas.

You simply have to marvel at the utter disdain Hamas really has for its own people. But then, that’s what totalitarian movements are all about, and Hamas is all about totalitarianism with a liberal dose of Islamism thrown in. I can’t think of a worse combination.