[Daily Star-Lebanon] Editorial - Hamas, as the self-appointed unilateral ruler of Gaza, has a duty to ensure the welfare of the territory's population. But the humanitarian situation in Gaza has been in a freefall since their takeover. Hamas rode to power largely as a result of popular frustration with the corruption, nepotism and cronyism that have long plagued Fatah. But Hamas now risks falling into the same traps as their political rivals. Over the past few weeks, Hamas members have been cracking down on political freedoms by either arresting their rivals or purging their ideological opponents from state-run institutions. These moves have only served to further polarize the political scene, and have thus served to undermine the Palestinian national cause. The Palestinians of Gaza had hoped for a change from Fatah's old ways, but they are witnessing a new era characterized by more of the same - and sometimes worse.
2007-08-22 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive