Gazans Standing Up To Hamas?
"While it's hard to tell just how real the protests are, the message they're sending is that even Hamas' own people reject the murderous regime."
By Michael Golden
Just over a week ago, I was considering writing an article about reports that Palestinians had held a protest in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahia — and vocally rejected Hamas.
Because we don’t ever hear about Gazans who are trapped by Hamas — complaining about Hamas — I took the first protest reported with a grain (full shaker) of salt. And when I called one of the most knowledgeable Israelis I know to ask about it, he confirmed my suspicion. He suggested I wait a bit, since there had been no protests in the few days after the first reports.
For those who don’t follow the war and interminable conflict in the Middle East closely, let me provide a little further explanation. Hamas, which has expressed over and over again its intention to completely rid Israel (and the world) of Jews — is also a strategically manipulative entity when it comes to the press.
Hamas’ October 7 attack was designed to draw the Israelis into a war where Hamas uses Palestinians as human bait and shields, and beckons the press to cover Israel’s defense (Hamas and various press will call it “aggression”). It’s a tired playbook, but it still often works. When Israel is attacked, she has no choice but to pound back. And then it gets portrayed how it gets portrayed — context and details be damned.
My friend said that he was likewise suspicious that the protest was actually real (and not set up by Hamas to try to show the world that it is changing and will allow dissent). Israelis, even more than many American Jews, trust Hamas less than zero. The past has offered all of us no reason to move into even marginally positive territory.
All of that said, I have written in JEWDICIOUS more than once that for anything to ever change for Palestinians in Gaza who are under the brutal, undemocratic rule of Hamas — first they would have to stand up to Hamas. This is a terrifying prospect for anyone who wants to do so, because members of Hamas are repressive killers.
So when I realized that there were a few more protests that happened last week, I thought it was time to note it here.
The Associated Press reported that on March 25, a few thousand protested the war in Beit Lehia, with many chanting “the people want the fall of Hamas.” And dozens of men yelling: “Out, out, out! Hamas get out!”
A week later, The New York Times reported on another protest:
“The march on Wednesday appeared to be the latest of a handful of such protests that have broken out in the last two weeks, despite Hamas’s efforts to suppress dissent with threats and shows of force. Witnesses said it was the first of the protests in Beit Lahia that women joined, some bringing their children.”
During the protest, 22-year-old Oday al-Rabi was abducted by Hamas from a shelter in Gaza City. His brother Hassan was called by Hamas later that day and instructed to come and pick up Oday from Al-Quds Hospital. He found his brother’s body completely bloodied and almost unrecognizable. He died a few hours later.
To be clear, Hamas is still supported by a large portion of Palestinians in Gaza. This is a constant and enormous impediment to any real type of peace in Israel; you cannot negotiate with a regime that refuses to acknowledge your existence as a people.
At the same time, to the degree that some Gazans are actually standing up to the terrorists who have an iron grip on their lives, we should point it out. No matter how sincere or real, the headline to the world is that even Hamas’ own people want them gone.
As well, while it seems wildly unrealistic to anyone I know that there will ever be enough Palestinians who take this same attitude and risk to eliminate Hamas, it is also true that a great number of successful movements throughout history have almost always started with a few voices. Sometimes with one.
MICHAEL GOLDEN is the Editor-In-Chief of JEWDICIOUS and founder of The Golden Mean.
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The NYT reports that “even women and children were at the protests,”making it seem like Hamas welcomes them all and encourages them to use their voices. The media has become such a biased joke. Luckily, there are clear-headed writers like you who are sharing the truth. Thank you!
I have followed the protests on LinkedIn and don't believe them. Too little too late. Where are the women? Why didn't they speak up for the 5 million from bibi. I still see people who rated and burned and kidnapped and recently cheered the coffins of babies. Too wolves trying to suddenly put on sheep's clothing.