Silver linings

Although some people have opined that the election of Hamas in the PA is a
"good thing," because it clarifies what Palestinian intentions are,
nevertheless I don't think we can categorize it that way, just as no-one
suggests that the Iranian development of nuclear weapons would be a "good
thing." But, in both bad situations "silver linings" can be discerned.
In the case of the PA election, as indicated above, the issue is certainly
clarified, not only for Israelis (particularly for some Israeli leftists who
are generally pro-Palestinian), but mainly for the rest of the world which has
had an anti-Israel bias for many years, starting perhaps when Israel won the
1967 war (that most people don't remember) and occupied/liberated the
territories. Thus, the average "intelligent" layman has now seen Israel
unilaterally withdrawing from Gaza in order to allow the establishment of a
Palestinian State, with the goal of a two-state solution that is now official
Israeli Government policy, while by contrast the Palestinians have chosen the
most extreme Islamist terrorist organization to run the PA. Given the "war on
terrorism" following the attacks of 9/11, 7/7 and all the others around the
world, the establishment of an official "Hamastan" in Gaza is far from a
desirable outcome for the West.
Also, any discerning person can see how undemocratic the PA really is, even
after the election, with men with guns roaming around at will, and for example
today taking over the EU offices in Gaza because they don't like the depiction
of Mohammed in cartoons published in Denmark, Norway and France.
So the silver lining is that almost all the nations of the world that matter,
the US, UN, EU, Britain, France, Germany, even Russia, have stated that they
will by and large follow PM Olmert's three rules, i.e. that they will not
supply funds to a PA Government in which Hamas is represented unless they 1.
recognize Israel's right to exist, 2. disarm their military wing, and 3.
change their charter to reflect these decisions.
But, the Quartet are trying to finesse the situation, as represented by US
Secty. of State Rice, since they have decided that they should continue to
support Pres. Mahmud Abbas, who is from Fatah. They feel that they should
supply funds through him so that he can pay the wages of the PA Government
employees, mostly Fatah members, especially the Security services. But, this
can only work until Hamas actually forms a Government and then they will
undoubtedly take over the Security forces and Ministries and then the money
would go to Hamas appointees, against the Quartet's decree. So it is a sliver
of a silver lining, certainly in line with Israeli interests.
Similarly with the Iran situation. Today the IAEA voted to send the matter of
Iranian development of nuclear weapons to the UN Security Council. But,
nothing happens fast there, and the issue of sanctions will take a long time
to work out, similar to the situation of Iraqi sanctions. It will be mired in
politics, including the reluctance of Russia and China to go along. But, at
least the direction is in line with Israeli interests.
Further, in his State of the Union speech, Pres. Bush took positions on both
these issues that are consistent with those of the Israeli Government, and
clearly wants to help support Olmert and Kadima in the upcoming elections. He
even went so far as to state yesterday that the US would "rise to Israel's
aid" if it were to be attacked by Iran. So that is certainly a silver lining
on otherwise dark clouds forming on the horizon.
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