Hamas rules out military support for Iran in any war with Israel

The Guardian ^ | 3/6/2012 | Harriet Sherwood

[U-238]

Hamas will not do Iran's bidding in any war with Israel, according to senior figures within the militant Islamic group.

"If there is a war between two powers, Hamas will not be part of such a war," Salah Bardawil, a member of the organisation's political bureau in Gaza City, told the Guardian.

He denied the group would launch rockets into Israel at Tehran's request in response to a strike on its nuclear sites. "Hamas is not part of military alliances in the region," said Bardawil. "Our strategy is to defend our rights"

The stance underscores Hamas's rift with its key financial sponsor and its realignment with the Muslim Brotherhood and popular protest movements in the Arab world.

Bardawil's words were echoed by a second senior Hamas figure, who declined to be named. Hamas, he said, "would not get involved" in any war between Iran and Israel.

Speculation in Israel about the repercussions of a military strike on Iran has encompassed the likelihood of the Jewish state coming under sustained rocket fire from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Both organisations are routinely described by Israeli officials as "proxies" for the Iranian regime.

However, Hamas has never given "complete loyalty" to Tehran, said Bardawil, pointing out that Iran's population is overwhelmingly Shia, whereas Gaza is Sunni. "The relationship was based on common interests."

Tehran has withdrawn its patronage of Hamas over the Palestinian group's refusal to support the Syrian regime against a year-long uprising. According to a Gazan academic who specialises in Islamic movements, this has included the termination of financial support worth $23m (£14.5m) a month.

[Olog-hai]

Yeah right. Care to tell more lies to the press, “Violence”?

[U-238]

Iran’s relationship with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has not been constant over time. It has, rather, waxed and waned according to the interests of Iran.

http://terrorism.about.com/od/iran/p/Iran2.htm

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

They don’t need to because the Keyan will be helping Iran.

[U-238]

I think Hamas knows what will happen if they join Iran in a war.

[rawhide]

Hamas giving Israel the green light? That tells me Egypt probably would stay out of it, since Hamas is now aligned with Egypt?

[U-238]

That tells me Egypt probably would stay out of it, since Hamas is now aligned with Egypt?

That remains to been seen.

[OddLane]

Supposedly they are propping up Islamic Jihad and some of the Al Qaeda-affiliated Palestinian jihadists at the expense of Hamas.

Still, I wouldn't trust anything that comes out of the mouths of these creatures.

[U-238]

I agree with you.

[zeestephen]

The international Hard Left MSM is simply aiding Obama’s reelection campaign.

On 07 November 2012, Israel's neighbors will unleash a torrent of hatred and violence against them.

[A Navy Vet]

Agreed. They're punks, but do recognize a losing side when they see it. I, personally, don't think any other nation or NGO will get involved if Israel goes full tilt on Iran. All the bad guys in the ME will recognize that Israel is serious and cower for another day.

I also don't believe that Russia or China will get involved. They will probably hope for a quick and decisive strike so they can get on with their own politics and economies. Many will make their noises, but once Israel makes her point, the world will go about its business. Watch.

[Olog-hai]

Why does everyone think that to be the outcome . . . ? Even worse, why is everyone waiting for Israel to do something when Iran’s already declared repeatedly that the USA is their number-one enemy?

Hamas is in with Iran all the way. So is the Muslim Brotherhood, who just took over Egypt and Tunisia and has their sights set on Libya next. There is no rift between Sunni Wahhabist and Shi’a Twelver so large that any kaffir can exploit it.

[org.whodat]

Ask yourself a historical question who drove camel lips out of Lebanon.

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

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[U-238]

Iran is a vassal of Russia. Iran, like Russia, “views Turkey’s regional ambitions and the possible spread of some form of pan-Turkic ideology with suspicion.So they are drawn together in one aspect.Russia still has plans to finish the nuclear project at Bushehr.

[bert]

I would argue that Iran is not the vassel of Russia. Iran is the customer of Russia. They do have common interests but not that of a fuedal serf to his lord.

Russia is dying and pretty much unable to muster the military where with all to be a threat.

[U-238]

Some people call Iran the vassal because of the “Great Game” between Russia and Great Britain from the Russo-Persian Treaty of 1813 to the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907. Syria might be considered to be a vassal of Iran.

[U-238]

Russia is dying and pretty much unable to muster the military where with all to be a threat.

I agree but they are trying to stage a comback even though it will not work.