By Andrew L. Jaffee

The reality is that the stability we thought we saw in the Middle East was a mirage.

- President George W. Bush, September 19, 2006

Hamas and Fatah, both terrorist factions of the Palestinian dysfunctional family, are on the verge of fighting a civil war. Believe it or not, this is a good thing, as people don’t usually change unless their backs are up against the wall. The Palestinian house is in dire need of a deep cleaning. So why is U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice planning on maintaining the terrorist status quo, seeking to prop up one terrorist faction, Fatah, over another, Hamas?

Hamas is committed to the genocide of all Israelis. At least Hamas admits this openly. On the other side, “Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ stated recognition of Israel’s right to exist is part of a ‘political calculation’ aimed at ultimately destroying the Jewish state.” Despite these facts, some in the U.S. administration are still stuck in the old dogma of supporting the lesser of two evils — maintaining “stability” at all costs — even though President Bush claims otherwise. According to Reuters:

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Reuters on Friday she would ask Congress for tens of millions of dollars to strengthen Abbas’s security forces. Washington wants to ensure Abbas emerges victorious in any power struggle with Hamas.

So Abbas will emerge victorious so that his Palestinian Authority will continue inciting war, preaching hatred, and inculcating children with virulently anti-Jewish notions?

This is ridiculous. The financial embargo now choking the Palestinian establishment has been one of the most effective actions taken against terrorists in the Holy Land in years. What is Rice smoking?

Better we let the Palestinians suffer until they taste a little reality rather than again propping up another Oslo-like lie.

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Related: United States, Palestinians, Terrorist Groups

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