Reconstruction delays prompting Hamas into assertiveness

PLO factions have reportedly criticised Hamas, holding the movement responsible for the reconstruction delays in Gaza, as well as hindering the unity government’s political progress in the enclave. Despite the obvious attempts at marginalising Hamas throughout Operation Protective Edge and its aftermath, which led to agreements being brokered without the movement’s consent in particular with regard to the reconstruction process, the delays brought about through negotiations with Israel and the UN are still projected upon Hamas.

Meanwhile, Hamas seems to be reclaiming its revolutionary aims and distancing itself from the political fallacy of the unity government. In a parliament session on Wednesday, described by Ma’an as “attended exclusively by Hamas legislators”, Deputy Speaker Ahmad Bahar gave an overview of the deteriorating situation in Gaza, as well as internal and external factors determining the perpetual oppression of Palestinian civilians.

The parliamentary session was criticised by Fatah law maker Faisal Abu Shahla, who declared the parliamentary session convened by Hamas as indicative of partnership refusal. “Partnership to Hamas means that Hamas can do whatever it wants and whenever it wants and all others should be only supportive.”

Bahar’s critical statements, however, indicated a more sensitised approach, in particular with regard to the imperialist interpretation of victimhood which is completely embraced by the PA.

The recent killings in Paris, which spurned worldwide condemnation and vague rhetoric about freedom of expression, have elucidated one important factor – that of propaganda being allowed to determine who should be considered as a victim of terror and, consequently, who is worthy of remembrance. As history continues to be exploited according to imperialist interests, revolutionary movements and the people are deconstructed in terms of violence and oblivion. The same applies to Hamas and the Palestinians, within this context in specific reference to Gaza.

Israel’s colonial violence remains a phenomenon discussed in isolated occurrences and within the magnitude manifested, such as in Operation Protective Edge. While mainstream media manipulated massacres into alleged war, the United Nations adhered to its role of upholding Israel’s fabricated right of defence and limiting its role to the publication of statistical data. As the reconstruction phase became an issue of prominence, the UN, Israel and the PA forced Palestinians into oblivion, prioritising diplomatic engagement and surveillance over the humanitarian emergency wrought by imperialist politics. Hamas, meanwhile, voiced its opposition to any form of foreign intervention in Gaza and gradually distanced itself from the unity government functioning as an extension of the PA and founded upon compromise that detracts from Hamas’s historical affirmation of revolutionary struggle for complete liberation of Palestine.

Reconstruction delays, however, seem to be far removed from the international community’s consciousness. UNRWA Commissioner General Perre Kräherbühl recently commented upon the frustration of Palestinians in Gaza with regard to the reconstruction delays. However, as with other UN official rhetoric, Palestinians are once again driven into oblivion by attempts at justifying delays through repeated assertions of perfunctory duty, in this case the setting up and implementation of the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism, despite its compromised structure.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.