With a clear victory in the Palestinian elections, Hamas has wasted no time in going on the offensive with Israel. Mahmoud al-Zahar, the number one man at Hamas has issued a demand that Israel change their flag lest they send the wrong message to their Palestinian neighbors.
The Israeli flag features two blue stripes on top and bottom with the Star of David in the middle. According to al-Zahar, the blue stripes have to go, “The stripes on the flag are symbols of occupation. They signify Israel’s borders stretching from the River Euphrates to the River Nile.”
The message could not be any more clear. Consistent with Hamas’ charter, Israel has no right to exist, and hence, has no right to borders. Never mind that the blue stripes on Israel’s flag have nothing to do with borders – they instead represent a traditional prayer shawl – Hamas is confirming their commitment to their charter without saying so directly. The intended recipients get the message.
Meanwhile, it would be wise for the rest of the world, including pampered movie stars like George Clooney, to take the words on the Hamas flag at face value. It reads, “There is no God but Allah – Mohammed is his Prophet.†The notion that it’s possible to broker a peace deal with the likes of Hamas should not be entertained.
One senior Hamas official, taking a page from the prophet Mohammed’s own playbook said, “We will be ready for a long interim agreement based on a period of cease-fire that can go to 10 or even 15 years like it was done by the prophet Mohammed with the enemies of the Muslims.” Of course, at the end of 15 years if Hamas has it’s way, the destruction of Israel will be at hand.