Why Arab states are unmoved by plight of Hamas: most fear Muslim militancy

The Telegraph ^ | 1/17/2008 | Tim Butcher in Jerusalem

[bruinbirdman]

The reaction in the Arab world seems almost mute. There are a few rallies in countries such as Syria and Yemen where Israeli flags are burned but that happens after Friday prayers on high days and holidays anyway.

The Arab League splinters over which member state should host an emergency summit on Gaza. Even in West Bank, just 40 miles from Gaza and home to 2.5 million fellow Palestinians, a call by militants for mass protest rallies dubbed "days of wrath" passes largely unheeded.

Why is it that, as Israel prepared to announce a cessation of offensive operations in Gaza, the Arab Street remained so apparently unmoved by its assault on the tiny territory?

The answer lies in the way many Arab regimes view militant Islam, as represented by Hamas. The West has come to view Muslim militancy as one of its biggest threats in the 21st century but for many Arab countries including Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia the same threat has existed for much longer.

Egypt's secular, military leaders have been struggling with the Muslim Brotherhood since the 1920s. They have tried arresting leaders, invoked emergency powers to stop popular demonstrations and banned members of "the Brothers" from standing in elections. President Hosni Mubarak's dictatorship remains in power in Egypt but militant Islam remains one of the most clear and present dangers to his rule.

The links between Hamas and "the Brothers" are strong, deep and long-standing. The Gaza Strip, which is the powerbase of Hamas, abuts Egypt and in the eyes of many the Palestinian movement is little more than the "North Sinai Branch" of the Muslim Brotherhood. So just as Cairo needs to keep "the Brothers" in check, it also has an interest in seeing Hamas weakened.

As Amotz Asa-El, an Israeli commentator, put it:

[spyone]

Arab states listen to the proportional force argument and laugh. They can’t understand why Israel consistantly wimps out. What luck.

[ZOOKER]

The Palestinians/Hamas/Fatah/Gazans are the Arab's "junkyard dogs". They keep them mean, wild, and on the brink of starvation, and sic them on anyone who comes into their yard.

Junkyard dogs are very useful to have around, especially if you have annoying neighbors, but you never invite them into the house...

[bruinbirdman]

"The Palestinians/Hamas/Fatah/Gazans "

More to fact is Hizballah virtually declared war on Egypt during the Gaza War.

The article is correct but perhaps a little soft.

The Arab states (Sunni) consider Iran(Persian Shiite)/Syria(Alawite)/Hizbollah,Hamas(Sunni Iranian puppets) their Axis of Evil.

yitbos

[Wavrnr10]

I think they all know that the world is getting tired of the same old crap spewing from the same old pie holes. The Muslim cause has been exposed for what it is and thanks to a few good reporting sites like this one.....people have a better understanding at what kind of farse the extremists are. That is unless you are an extremist.....or from Hollywood.