re: #669 Charles

Really? The blockade has strengthened Hamas … how? You mean, strengthened them even more since the Palestinians of Gaza voted for them overwhelmingly? How does that work?

And haven’t you been constantly complaining that Gaza has been virtually destroyed, the people are destitute, they have nothing, etc.?

If all that’s true, how the hell does this equate to “Hamas is strengthened?”

You’re arguing out of both sides of your mouth.

It’s not that hard to understand. Hamas was elected in questionable elections (pushed for by the eminently wise GW Bush I might add). The result was hardly a landslide for Hamas. The elections were bitterly contested.

Now, as a result of the blockade and the resulting flotilla clusterfuck, Hamas’ popularity has risen. They have been massively strengthened economically by their ability to sell smuggled goods at inflated prices. Their ability to smuggle weapons has not been curtailed.

And yes, despite all of this much of Gaza remains a bombed-out shithole. I’m not sure why Hamas can’t be strengthened while Gazan infrastructure remains completely bombed-out. Terrorists don’t need infrastructure. In fact, Hamas prefers that Gaza remain bombed out.