On Richard Silverstein’s anti-Israel blog Tikun Olam (link not provided, since he loves getting traffic), “Kane” asks a simple question in the comments:
# On August 26th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Kane said:Richard,
I would be interested in hearing what you think of what Orgo said (Orgo had commented that there is no evidence connecting Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to any terror attacks -ed.) Do you think Haniyeh is a terrorist or connected to terror attacks?
Thanks.
Silverstein responds:
# On August 26th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Richard Silverstein said:@Kane: Haniyeh is less connected to terror attacks than Yitzchak Shamir was. Let me make clear that I’m no friend of Hamas. I wish there were another authentic, popular grassroots Palestinian political movement instead of it. I don’t like their politics or their willingness to embrace armed violent resistance. That being said, they ARE an authentic, grassroots popular movement. Until some other group can beat them in a legitimate election, they should be recognized as a legitimate government.
So there you have it, folks. Silverstein is clearly stating:
1. The leader of Hamas is less connected to terrorism than was a former Prime Minister of Israel.
2. Hamas engages in “resistance”, not terrorism.
