Hamas Shuts Down Palestinian Government

The Iran-funded Hamas, political/terror organization has again, been attacking the slightly more moderate Fatah.

Fatah, while not exactly a majority in power, is actually the majority in the machinery of the Palestinian government, extending throughout much of its bureaucracy. Why all the fighting? Because Hamas wants to kill Jews and Fatah, at least does not at the moment. Hence the lack of cooperation.

The Palestinians are in need of foreign aid, which has been cut off since Hamas didn't meet the conditions to renounce violence and recognize Israel. I think the fighting is not primarily about disagreements over whether or not to renounce violence and recognize Israel, but in how Hamas and Fatah perceive the strongest of the potential aid giver: Iran or the West.

It's a bit of a leap to think that Fatah actually wants to perpetually coexist with a Jewish state. So really, the difference is that Fatah thinks the West is stronger and perhaps more ideal than Iran. Hamas either views Iran as stronger or strong enough, and they clearly agree with Iran's objectives.

This fundamental disagreement over which power to receive aid from came to a boil today. From the AP:

In protest against attacks by militant supporters of President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah, Hamas also closed all of its government ministries in the Palestinian territories...

The violence that killed eight people Sunday began when members of the Hamas-led government's 3,500-man militia confronted civil servants, including members of the Fatah-allied security forces, who were protesting the government's inability to pay their wages.

Of course corruption contributes to the problem as well. Why pay your political adversary when there is barely enough or not enough money to pay your own party?

If Hamas wins, Iran wins, and Israel loses.