Hamas Does Not Represent Palestinian People: Kamala Harris
Photo: @VP
WASHINGTON, DC (ANI) – Voicing concern for the civilian population of Palestine, Vice President Kamala Harris on October 19 expressed her support for their freedom and self-determination and said that Hamas does not represent the rights of Palestinians.
The Vice President posted, “Israelis and Palestinians must have equal measures of security and prosperity. I support the right of the Palestinian people to dignity, freedom, and self-determination. Hamas does not represent these aspirations.”
Earlier on October 12, Harris said the US was looking at “extreme acts of terrorism” that must be condemned in no uncertain terms, stressing that there was no justification for such acts of terror.
“I’m completely outraged by what has taken place. We are looking at extreme acts of terrorism that must be condemned in no uncertain terms. There is absolutely no justification for terrorism,” Harris said.
Further, weighing in on the decades-old conflict in West Asia, Harris said she and President Biden take their commitment to Israel very seriously.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces has strongly refuted claims made by the Palestinian side that Israel was behind the bomb explosion at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza. The IDF also poked holes in the claims made by Hamas that several people had been killed in the explosion.
Maneck Bhujwala
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Today on CNN news it said that a U.S. destroyer ship shot down missiles coming from Yemen and going towards possibly Israel. This indicates that missiles could be coming to Gaza from outside Israel that ar blamed on Israel and creating false anger at Israel.
October 19, 2023Maneck Bhujwala
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With reference to Kamala Harris statement, when the people of Gaza refected rule by the Palestinian Authority of Abbas, and instead voted for Hamas to rule them, that makes Hamas as representing the palestinians of Gaza. Hopefully they will now reject Hamas and vote for the moderate Palestinian Authority government.
October 19, 2023Pradeep Srivastava
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“ Hamas does not represent the rights of Palestinians.”
I looked into the above statement of VP Kamala Harris and learned the following, which is not as straightforward as Harris would like us to believe.
Hamas is considered a Palestinian organization by some and a terrorist organization by others. Its status is a subject of significant political and international debate. The United States, the European Union, and Israel classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.
The U.S. Department of State designates Hamas as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), and the European Union lists it as a terrorist organization as well. Israel also considers Hamas a terrorist group. These designations are based on the organization’s history of violence and attacks targeting civilians.
However, it’s important to note that within Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza, Hamas has a significant political and social presence and has won elections. So, while it may not be universally viewed as a terrorist organization among Palestinians, its status is indeed a matter of debate and depends on one’s perspective.
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is often regarded as a representative body for the Palestinian people in the context of international diplomacy and negotiations. It has historically been recognized as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people by various international bodies and governments.
One key reference that highlights the PLO’s representative role is the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3236, adopted on November 22, 1974. This resolution reaffirmed the “inalienable rights of the Palestinian people in Palestine, including…the right to self-determination without external interference,” and it recognized the PLO as the “representative of the Palestinian people.”
The United Nations and numerous countries have recognized the PLO’s representation of the Palestinian people in various contexts, particularly in peace negotiations. However, it’s important to note that the political landscape of Palestinian representation is complex, and there have been other Palestinian factions and organizations, such as Hamas, which have their own support bases and differing views on the representation of Palestinians.
October 20, 2023