Amnesty accuses Hamas of eliminating opponents

[oberliner]

GENEVA (AFP) — Amnesty International on Tuesday accused Hamas of waging a deliberate campaign to kill or maim scores of Palestinian opponents in the Gaza Strip since the end of December.

The human rights group said in a report that at least two dozen men were shot dead by gunmen from the Palestinian militia that governs the Gaza Strip since December 27.

"Scores of others have been shot in the legs, kneecapped or inflicted with other injuries intended to cause severe disability, subjected to severe beatings... or otherwise tortured or ill-treated " it added.

"Hamas forces and militias in the Gaza Strip have engaged in a campaign of abductions, deliberate and unlawful killings, torture and death threats aginst those they accuse of 'collaborating' with Israel, as well as opponents and critics," the report said.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gvarkJqJ947GlMC9eDHBYHHwxPBA

[MrModerate]

1. Nasty fucks. Clearly soul brothers to Netanyahu, Lieberman, and the IDF n/t

[oberliner]

2. Can there be no criticism of Hamas that is just criticism of Hamas?

This is an Amnesty International report.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. Not at this site.

Seriously, have you not figured this out?

[MrModerate]

5. It's not the site -- I've seen the full range of opinion at DU . . .

Although the voices that suggest that Israel is justified in taking the actions it takes are less numerous and quieter.

IMO there is no sensible way to discuss one side without reference to the other.

[oberliner]

7. But that is not what the article is about

It would be one thing if this was a report critical of Hamas for its human rights violations against Israel, but this is an article about a report claiming Hamas is committing human rights violations against other Palestinians.

[MrModerate]

9. Yes, to marginalize/terrorize anyone who would interfere with their aim:

Get Israel. Fatah is just another obstacle to be overcome, not the prime objective.

[ohio2007]

16. domestic disputes requiring broken knee caps and ruptured kidneys is something they prefer to keep

in the families rights of privacy
;)

[MrModerate]

4. And more power to them. But Hamas' depredations do not take place in a vacuum . . .

And it's borderline-disingenuous to discuss them as if they do. Hamas is evil. Bibi-Liebi are evil. They're continuing a 70-year-old cage match that neither one sincerely wants to end.

And for that same 70 years, we've been pouring gasoline in one end of the pipe and professing shock when flames shoot out of the other.

To answer your question? No. It's not useful to criticize just Hamas, or just Israel, or even just the US. There's enough blood to smear everybody's hands.

[oberliner]

6. The article is about a conflict between Hamas and Fatah

This partciular Amnesty International report is not criticizing Hamas for actions taken against Israel or vice versa.

[MrModerate]

8. Well, Fatah or anyone who'd challenge their rule . . .

and hence their ability to continue assaults on Israel so Israel will overreact -- again -- and confirm -- again -- to those who are predisposed to hate Israel that, yes indeed Israel should be hated.

Hamas is not stupid, just incredibly vicious. Fatah is an impediment to their larger aims; the conflict between the two groups is not equal and will not end when Hamas intimidates Fatah's entire base of support.

[LeftishBrit]

10. Disgusting

Hamas are authoritarians with no tolerance for opposition.

[GoesTo11]

11. But they were democratically elected!

although one could argue that this kind of thing compromises the legitimacy of that result, as does the coup in Gaza last year.

[oberliner]

12. Perhaps it is time for another election

Maybe that would add some legitimacy to the situation.

[ohio2007]

14. sorry, one man,one vote...one time

They are not going to give up their ruling class status to dole out foreign aid to the most trustworthy

[Bodhi BloodWave]

18. I assume that is why Hamas seems more interested in an election

then Fatah?

or did i read your post wrong?

[ohio2007]

21. You assume there are rival parties still intact in the Gaza strip that

haven't felt the rath of Hamas ?
Or have you not been following the story prior to the IDF invasion ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lQ6xUq7MxE&NR=1

[Idealism]

22. You DO realize that Gazans arent the only ones who get to vote in Palestinian elections

Right? Or are you just talking out of your ass?

[iconicgnom]

13. Interesting to see how some feed on this OP.

History shows that occupations and seiges are very fertile breeding grounds for collaborators. Of course, comparison of the Palestinian situation with that of apartheid SA is verboten, so likewise comparison to how the SA resistance treated apartheid collaborators is likewise verboten. Such references are unpleasant, they spoil the feed. And in particular, references to the Warsaw ghetto are taboo, they too spoil the feed. So no sense in referencing e.g.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_13
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Ghetto_Police
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zagiew

[oberliner]

15. Always with the Nazi comparisons

First place some people like to go.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

19. Since i am somewhat facinated by history i just wanted to thank you

for mentioning Pat Conroy's Beach Music, I'll have to go seek it out now.

[oberliner]

20. It's not similar and it doesn't pain me

It says a lot more about the person making the comparison than anything else.

It also seems odd that you don't want to be judgmental about Hamas, but you seem to have very little trouble being judgmental about the Israeli leadership.