I have to admit I was quiet shocked when I read the front page story of Al-Rai daily this morning. According to Jordanian officials, Hamas members have smuggled weapons into Jordan and have been "eyeing strategic locations in the kingdom." Here is the full story in English.
The question is why, and why now? Isn’t Hamas already fighting battles in their own backyard? Aren’t they currently being marginalized and facing intense pressure form the international community? What are they thinking, really? Another question: How will the Jordanian public react to this? Will Hamas’ popularity decrease in Jordan or will Jordanians brush this off as another conspiracy theory. I believe the latter is the most likely scenario. In this region, conspiracy theories are always, ultimately, the winner.
Meanwhile, I’ve noticed for the past two days that a number of Jordanian papers have been using the term "martyr" and "was martyred" in reference to the suicide bomber that blew himself up in Tel Aviv two days ago, killing nine civilians. With all due respect, in my humble opinion, I believe the Jordanian papers should be more responsible, staying away from the use of subjective terms to describe suicide bombers that kill unarmed civilians. Disclaimer: I do not mean to mock anyone’s beliefs. I’m making this point from a purely journalistic point of view.
Anonymous,
Again, very well put.
What also disappoints me is just how easily we forget that there really is no difference between the Jordanian and Palestinian people.
It seems that in this modern day there are too many people who are eager to conform their political views to that view advocated by the conservative American movement. Now there is plenty that I disagree with when it comes to Hamas, but Israel as a political entity is just as much, even more, of a terrorist organization than Hamas will ever be.
No matter how hard some may want to distance themselves from what “Palestine” has become today, that will not help in easing the problems of the region.
It is truly sad to see these forces at play – the “We are Jordanians, and we wash our hands of the Palestinians” school of thought. Sad and disappointing. Always were and always will be one people.
su·i·cide noun: The act or an instance of intentionally killing oneself.
Since that is what occurs, it’s use in “suicide bomber” represents an accurate use of the term. It is also the standard used by the media, which I believe was the point here. If you are trying to running something with greater political import up the flagpole then you are missing the point entirely, aren’t you.
“staying away from the use of subjective terms to describe suicide bombers that kill unarmed civilians.”
Isn’t it subjective to call them suicide bombers?
Salam,
First, I would like to say that I am a keen follower of your posts, thank you for your efforts and keep up the good work.
As for this issue of Hamas and the Jordanian government, there are certain factors that must be highlighted. First, the nature of both parties involved in this so called ‘stand-off’.
Hamas is the legal representative of the Palestinian people, it was elected by a universal and democratic vote. The Jordanian government on the other hand, was neither elected nor does it truely represent the wished of “its” people. Therefore, any governemnt that is imposed upon the people faces a ‘democratic deficit’, it is not accountable to the people it claims to represent and therefore any action it takes will always be questioned.
We, in the Arab world, have become accustomed to unelected governments, we have grown into a culture of denial and conspiracies, when something we do not agree with happens, we are either quick to deny it or claim that it is the work of some mysterious ‘foreign interference’.
Admittedly, the Jordanian government, similarily to most other Arab and Third world governments, is not completely autonomous, their actions and decisions are to a great extent constrained by the United States and other powerful nations, at the end of the day Jordan’s economy is primarily dependant on foreign aid and is one of the largest receptors of US aid.
What I am trying to put forward or to clarify is that we, in the Middle East, live in artificial states, our rulers work hard to remain in power, they are glorified and sanctified, the ‘leader syndrome’ is a common feature in all Arab leaders. They do so not because they are evil or wicked, but simply becuase it is the only possible way to run a country (this maybe linked to the natural social composition of Arabs and Ibn Khaldun’s ‘Asabiyyah’).
It is not the appropaite place nor time to delve into such profound topic, what is left for me to say is that we shoudl give Hamas a chance, despite the fact that they might present a threat (politically and not militarilly) to their neighbouring Arab states, I believe it is only just and fair that the choice of the Palestinian people must be respected. Isn’t this the democracy ‘they’ have always wanted?
Natasha
Thanks for the response. Again I respect your choices of what to blog on. As for the “Mayhem” in Palestine/Israel, I think its a bit harsh to base the blame on the current day situation. This is not the result of something that happened today or yesterday. This is the result of one people steeling another’s homeland. We must keep in mind that the cause is what we need to find a solution for not the symptoms of the conflict. People will eventually realize that the whole world’s peace depends on peace and justice for the Palestinians.
Scooby, cheers mate, do you know dooby dooby doo?
Cheers
Anonymous,
Thank you, and thank you. You articulated into words exactly what I though with repect to Natasha’s and Jareer’s thoughts. Very well put.
Anon, thank you for your comment. Most of the topics that I discuss on my blog are Jordan-centric and I have to admit that I have not blogged exclusively about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is not really my forte. If you want to hear my opinion, I believe both sides are to blame for the mayhem that is happening.
I usually bring up this topic when it concerns Jordan. This is of course a subjective selection as this blog is a subjective space dedicated for my random scribbles.
Feel free to e-mail me with ideas for topics. I’m very open for suggestions. Thank you
Jareer with all due respect
While I don’t agree with Hamas’ way of fighting occupation, I urge you not to compare someone thats fighting occupation to terrorists without a cause such as the Jordanian Zarqawi.
The bombings in Jordan were the result of an evil perosn with no cause. What the Palestinians are doing, again I don’t agree with it, however it is resulting from desepration and the lack a decent life, they don’t even have the basics. So make sure you make reasonable comparisions please.
Cheers
Natasha, I agree with you regarding Hamas and their battles. If this is true, there is no excuse for it at all.
One interesting point I wanted to bring up. I have not noticed at all on your blog anything denouncing the Israeli violence against Palestnians. I have been following your blog for a little time. Maybe I missed it?
It seems to me you can’t wait to jump against any mistakes comitted by the Palestinians and share your “jounalistic” point of view. Its a shame that as long as the Jordanians and Palestinians have co-existed, there is still a na3ra.
Again don’t take this the wrong way, not trying to be offensive, however, it seems to me you cover anything and everything except anything about the Palestinians unless its negative, which is your right but I thought I”d bring it up.
Cheers
Yes; I noticed the “martyr” thing the other day and thought that those people have not learned the lesson yet from the hotels events in Jordan months ago. What goes around, will come around;when those same “martyr murdrers” hit your sister or mother or kids; we will see which terms you will use to describe them.