[Ynet News] Ronny Shaked - Following the Nakba (the 1948 defeat and the State of Israel's establishment) and the Naksa (the 1967 defeat), the Palestinian split and the disconnection from Gaza are being referred to as Wakseh, meaning humiliation, ruin, and collapse as a result of self-inflicted damage. The term expresses the great downfall of the Palestinian national movement and its division into two ideological camps - the national camp and the Islamic camp. The Palestinian national movement has regressed 50 years to an era of national disintegration and focus on a daily struggle for personal survival. The Fatah movement, which started disintegrating following Arafat's death, has collapsed and shattered. Its leaders are still members of the "old Tunisian guard" - Mahmoud Abbas and his group. The transitional generation is tired and broken. The Fatah young guard no longer exists. Abbas is counting the days to the end of his term in office. In practice, he is no more than the ruler of the Muqata, the government compound in Ramallah. The Western world, which views radical Islam as the enemy, continues to hand over large sums of money to Abbas, who sends the money to Gaza and helps stabilize Hamas rule there. The introduction of Islam by Hamas in Gaza is being undertaken at a slow pace, but consistently and with determination. Hamas has no shortage of money either, and it pads the pockets of its new supporters with welfare and aid funds. Gaza residents have become used to Hamas and do not miss the corrupt Fatah officials.
2007-07-27 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive