The ink on the interview Hamas military leader Yahya Sinwar gave Yediot Ahronot was not even dry before many Israelis fell for this murderer’s promises of euphoric peace. Two days later, however, Hamas published the “full” version of the interview, which included much harsher language.
This was followed by a wave of arson terrorism on the Israel-Gaza border and the brutal attack in the Barkan Industrial Park, which naturally garnered praise from Hamas and the other terrorist groups in Gaza.
Caving into Hamas pressure, La Repubblica journalist Francesca Borri, which interviewed Sinwar, was quick to post a video in which she states that she interviewed Sinwar on behalf of the Italian daily and a British paper, not Israeli media.
Yediot’s claim that the interview was held on its behalf is false in its entirety. “I am a freelancer, and my stories are translated into 24 languages. Sinwar knew it. I do not work for Israeli media,” she said.
“When Sinwar talked with me, he was addressing the world, including Israel, with aim of removing the siege the international community as a whole is responsible for,” she said.
She stressed that she asked him whether this was the first time he was granting an interview to “Western media”—not “Israeli media,” as Yediot claimed.
Borri further said that Sinwar “wouldn’t hear of ’normalization,'” cryptically adding that “at the end of the day, we’re all pretty smart. What happened is clear to everyone.”
Woe the disappointment. As it turns out, Hamas—the offspring of the Muslim Brotherhood and the sister-movement of Islamic Jihad, Al-Qaeda and Islamic State—has no intention of relinquishing its call for Israel’s destruction.
Sinwar has no intention of laying down his arms and setting aside the desire to murder Israelis. He simply explained that his “weakness” is the source of his “strength” as giant, impatient, nuclear Israel does not wish to eliminate him because it is not in its interest.
The bastard is right.
The Arab historian Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406) once explained the periodicity by which “hedonistic and fortified” forces are defeated by the “daring, hungry people lurking outside.”
Strangely, things turned out differently in Gaza, where the once mighty Philistines were brought down by Samson’s foxes, which he used to burn down their fields. Seeking revenge, the Philistines used Delilah to tempt Samson and reveal the source of his power, and he was blinded. But in the end, Samson, in his despair, brought down the house and destroyed the Philistines.
As history would have it, Gaza is now home to a mob that burns our fields. Hamas leaders freely violate the principles of Islam, which prohibit the murder of women and children, or the burning of crops and trees.
Murder, betrayal, rape, arson and breaking promises? All can be loosely interpreted by willing clerics and sheiks, while Israelis are easily fooled by the deceptive perception created by false statements and agreements.
What kind of society raises people who can so easily turn on their benefactors? Tie up a Jewish woman whom they know and murder her in cold blood? Unrequited love, marital conflict, sexual-identity dilemmas, unwanted pregnancies; these can all be resolved with the murder of Jews. This is done with the blessings of Allah and his inciting messengers, and awards the perpetrator a stipend from the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas instigates violence, and essentially extorts “protection” by threatening to “burn down the house” while “hedonist” Israel tries to use a ridiculous fan against the smoke.
Hamas must be struck down and deterred before its incendiary kites spark a raging blaze. We should become as blind as Samson to take down buildings. It will not be a pretty sight but Hamas will get the message.
Dr. Reuven Berko was the adviser on Arab affairs to the Jerusalem district police and a writer for Israel Hayom.
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