Is Hamas Losing Power? By Khaled Abu Toameh. Real Clear World, June 27, 2013. Also at Gatestone Institute.
Abu Toameh:
Hamas’s
failure to improve the living conditions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has
also driven away an increased number of Palestinians – in addition to reports
about fierce internal squabbling among Hamas’s top brass and the absence of a
unified policy toward many controversial issues plaguing the Palestinians and
the Arab world.
In a
move reflecting Hamas’s growing predicament, the movement was forced this week
to welcome Palestinian singer Mohamed Assaf, who won the popular Arab Idol
contest held by Saudi Arabia’s MBC TV station.
Although
Hamas leaders have condemned the contest as “anti-Islamic” and “morally
corrupt,” they were forced to voice their support for the 23-year-old Assaf in
the wake of the overwhelming and unprecedented support he received from
Palestinians.
When
Hamas leaders begin to “sweat,” it should be seen as a positive development in
the Palestinian arena. It now remains to be seen whether Palestinians will take
advantage of the situation and turn against Hamas.
