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History Shows Hamas Can Be Defeated

(New York Post) Haisam Hassanein - Opponents of Israel's military campaign in Gaza argue that Hamas is an idea, and you cannot kill an idea. But as the Egyptian government demonstrated in its effort to eliminate the Muslim Brotherhood, the group that gave rise to Hamas a generation ago, ideas wither without organizations to pursue them. Today the Brotherhood in Egypt no longer exists in any meaningful form beyond a web page and a few little-known figures claiming to be leaders while living abroad. Egyptian President Sisi's efforts had little to do with winning a war of ideas. The government arrested Brotherhood leaders, forced some into exile, and used extensive force against the group's militant offshoots. It waged a relentless campaign against the Brotherhood's domestic recruitment sources by shutting down its educational institutions, intercepting funding from abroad, and working to criminalize Brotherhood ideology. In the long run, a decisive defeat for Hamas is what's best for Palestinians and the region as a whole, not just Israel. It would open the door to moderate Arab governments re-engaging with Palestinians, especially the Saudis and Emiratis, who (unlike Qatar) were not interested in backing an Iranian proxy. The writer is an adjunct fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
2023-12-22 00:00:00
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