The Treaty of Hudaibiyah is alive and well.
IT’S WORTH CONSIDERING
The following was reported in an article by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik in Palestinian Media Watch:
 
At a ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of the founding of Hamas, Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Ismail Haniyeh said that Hamas may work for the “interim objective of liberation of Gaza, the West Bank, or Jerusalem,” but that this “interim objective” and “reconciliation” with Fatah will not change Hamas’ long-term “strategic” goal of eliminating all of Israel:
 
“The armed resistance and the armed struggle are the path and the strategic choice for liberating the Palestinian land, from the [Mediterranean] sea to the [Jordan] river, and for the expulsion of the invaders and usurpers [Israel]… We won’t relinquish one inch of the land of Palestine.” In his speech, Haniyeh also promised that Hamas will “lead Intifada after Intifada until we liberate Palestine – all of Palestine, Allah willing. Allah Akbar and praise Allah.”

Two days later, contradicting Haniyeh’s statements, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said that Hamas leader abroad Khaled Mashaal had agreed that:
 
– “There will be no military resistance.”
– “The permanent solution is on the ’67 borders.”
 
For many years, the PLO promoted a “stages plan” that would first create a Palestinian state on the 1949 – 1967 armistice lines, and then work from that position to destroy Israel. Senior Fatah official Abbas Zaki recently stated that this remains the goal for Fatah as well, but that “you can’t say it to the world. You can say it to yourself.” Read more.

According to Abbas, Hamas agrees to a permanent solution on the ’67 borders. However, Haniyeh said that Hamas agrees to a temporary solution on the ’67 borders as a first stage only.

AS I SEE IT
Two conclusions can be drawn from this article. The first is that the ultimate goal of Hamas and Fatah is the destruction of Israel. Their leaders have said it before and now they’ve said it again. While Abbas publically presents a much more conciliatory face, his speeches to his own people have supported Haniyeh’s position. The second conclusion is that the inconsistencies in the Hamas leaders’ statements shows that the strategy of “tell them what they want to hear” is still in effect and will continue to work with those who are gullible enough to believe what is said at anything resembling a bargaining table. It’s the Treaty of Hudaibiyah all over again. Say whatever it takes to gain an advantage. Lying is permissible to hide your true beliefs and intentions. It has worked before, and it will work again.
 
Until America’s leaders become educated on the basics of Islamic strategies, America will continue to play into the hands of both Hamas and Fatah while reinforcing our current position as an enemy of both Israel and God. We must educate our friends.

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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time because you won’t have a leg to stand on.