Whitewashing a rat
Russia's invitation to Hamas leaders an attempt to reestablish Russian influence in region
So Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Hamas leaders for talks in Moscow. The invitation purifies the rat, and make no mistakes about it: At this point in time, Hamas is a real rat.
Hamas – as it now stands – cannot be a partner for dialogue for any democratic country or government, nor for any aspiring democracies.
The Hamas covenant, written in 1988, says - amongst other things - that the "Land of Palestine – from the river to the sea – is a Muslim waqf, and will remain so for all time. Any concession on any part of the land is tantamount to sacrificing part of the Islamic religion."
Supporting Chechen Rebels
Roee Nahmias
Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center document says Hamas supports Chechen rebels in battle for independence against Russian regime, considers them part of global Jihad
The covenant, based on the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, also says the Jews are a "terrible enemy, Nazi in their behavior." The Jews – who according to Hamas are not a nation, but rather an inferior religion – have schemed to "destroy societies, destroy values, break agreements, to bring about the deterioration of ethics and to eliminate Islam.
Hamas blames the Jews for the outbreaks of both world wars, and says that with the end of World War II they "created the United Nations in order to take control of the world."
Outrageous cynicism
These are the folks the president of Russia wants to hold "constructive dialogue" with. Why? Because Hamas, says Vladimir Putin, won the Palestinian elections. Therefore, "they represent the Palestinian people."
This is outrageous, cynical reasoning, especially coming from a man whose country continues to wage a war of occupation and brutal suppression against Muslims.
For more than a decade, Russia has tried – with a strong, destructive hand – to prevent an independent Republic of Chechnya from being established.
Putin – like predecessor Boris Yeltsin – has never allowed a Hamas-like Muslim-Chechnyan party, nor a more moderate version, to take part in elections of any sort in Chechnya, elections that in any event have taken place under the shadow of Russian tanks and guns.
These parties have been rejected outright, despite the fact that underground leaders in Chechnya have never demanded the eradication of Russia and the establishment of an Islamic state from Siberia to the Black Sea. These demands are the cornerstone of Hamas demands vis-à-vis Israel.
Terrible mistake
In hindsight, there is no question Israel (followed by the United States) made a terrible mistake by letting Hamas participate in the Palestinian elections before recognizing Israel and annulling the anti-Semitic clauses in its covenant.
Putin's openness to Hamas is not, unfortunately, the first crack in the international wall of opposition to Hamas. Such a wall never existed. It was only an illusion. The minute the Palestinian election results were released the chorus of international political voices started, calling on Israel to "give Hamas a chance."
Diplomats – Israelis as well as foreigners – have said we must "judge Hamas by its actions, not by its words," that "Hamas will need to change now that it is responsible for running the Palestinian Authority," that "It will have no choice because it will have no money," and a million other phrases to try to calm themselves down.
Rejected advances
And how has Hamas responded to the flirtation? With complete scorn.
Giddy with power, drunk with victory, Hamas has demonstrated apathy with respect to the do-gooders from the West.
Today the organization walks confidently towards assuming control of the PA, but also towards international recognition, first by the Kremlin, to be followed by the rest of the bewildered world.
But Putin's invitation to Hamas is more than a slap in the face to Israel. It is also a disgrace for Russia. What, exactly, does this superpower need from a small, cruel Islamic terror group, thoroughly infiltrated by collaborators with Israeli intelligence? Has Russia learned nothing from the Soviet Union's past support for Palestinian terror groups?
Failed policy
Russia's policies in the Middle East are riddled with errors, failures and bizarre treaties that have eventually pushed Moscow right out of the region. One after the other, Russia has lost whatever influence it had over Arab and Muslim policy, from Egypt to Afghanistan, from Libya to Iraq.
Senior officials amongst Arab "Liberation Fronts" studied during the 1960s at Lumumba University, acquired basic literacy in Marxist-Leninism and then completely renounced their education and their sponsors.
Despite this, President Putin, a former KGB man, dreams of re-establishing Russian influence in the Middle East. In order to do this he extends a hand to the blackest, most backwards, most dangerous forces in the entire Arab world.
It is a covenant of blood: Putin's hands are swimming in Chechnyan blood, Hamas' in Israeli blood.
