|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/10/hamas-support-wane
Hamas Support on the Wane Amid Crackdowns on Political Dissent
(Guardian-UK) Chris McGreal - Hamas has been enjoying a surge in popularity following the swap of the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, for the release of more than a 1,000 Palestinian prisoners last month. But the huge rallies to welcome the prisoners back masked growing disillusionment with the armed Islamist movement's five-year rule amid rising dissatisfaction at corruption, suppression of political opposition and, above all, its claim that violent resistance to Israel is more important than jobs. "The prisoner swap has boosted Hamas' popularity for now," said Mkhaimar Abusada, professor of political science at Al-Azhar University in Gaza. "But it won't last more than a few months. Hamas' popularity has declined every year it has been in power." Hamas' upset election victory in 2006 was built largely on despair with the corruption, misgovernance and authoritarianism of the ruling Fatah, led by Yasser Arafat. Many residents of Gaza now voice similar complaints about Hamas.