Will Hamas go Broke?

Read and add your comments below.

Give Tzedakah! Help Aish.com create inspiring
articles, videos and blogs featuring timeless Jewish wisdom.

Published: February 4, 2006

Visitor Comments: 26

(26) Anonymous, February 7, 2006 12:00 AM

The world needs first to see that Hamas is a danger for the whole world and than they should akt, because as long as they don't see that, the world will never see how important it is to eliminate all of the heads of this organisation, to destroy the heart of the organisation, than after that I'm sure that Hamas will break for sure by their own. Because Hamas is only strong as a big Group but one of those guy by his own is nothing more than a angry child wich is rampage.

(25) Anonymous, February 7, 2006 12:00 AM

Murderous Louts

This organization of loosely unstable goon squads are a true danger to any individual who associates with them in any manner. Only foolishly naively minded persons would be consider their contributions as commendable and worthy of concensus-building.

Any so called road map to anything requires that respect for others particuliarly those whom one would decide to hate or are lesser than oneself.

It is terribly presumptious for any organization to decide that murder is a sustainable societal value. Further more, adopting suicide as a viable option in negotiating human discourse is not a value which the Human Species was wired to integrate as an optional recourse when murder and maiming do not succeed in destroying what one would hate.

In essence, Hamas, has no place in the scheme of things. That this organization has now been voted into office indicates the intensity and level of impregnation of violence and death as a cultural component of identity. It is a fact which beyond alarming needs to be firmly negatedand rejected outright.

The time has long passed thqat this organization would have anything to add to any kind of discussion amongst nations.

Jewish blood bathes their hands, hatred is their food. There is no need to promulgate destruction and murder as relevance before realizing it serves only death. It is not the way of human beings, it is not the way of the world.

(24) Anonymous, February 7, 2006 12:00 AM

excellent

(23) Liz Horowitz, February 7, 2006 12:00 AM

tread cautiously

It might be better to open a dialogue, yet remain unshakable in the refusal to give money to a government that supports the overthrow of another. The money is there waiting for a govenment that supports peace. How can we achieve that to the betterment of all concerned?

(22) Roma Wiseman, February 7, 2006 12:00 AM

No dealiong with terrorists.

If the world cut off all monies and refused to have any dealings with Hamas until they rebutted terrorism, and agreed that Israel has the right to exist then there would be a change of attitude by Hamas. Whilst the world gives lip service to anti semitism things will never change, and by covertly supporting Hamas they ensure that this terrorism continues.

(21) Alan, February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

No support for a terrorist regime

The US brands Hamas a terrorist organization. The Europeans seem to see the military wing of Hamas as terrorist as well.So to make a strong statement against ANY regime supporting terror,the U.S. and The Europeans should withhold all funds to a Hamas led govenment until it acknowledges Israel's right to exist as an nation within internationally recognized borders and rejects acts of terror and support for them by others. Their government must also actively prevent such actions by other groups operating in Gaza or the west bank such as Islamic Jihad.They must actively act to stop terrorist acts and arrest those who have commited them.They should not be permitted to play the "Arafat role" of saying I've tried to stop them but I can't do it. If Iran, which already is Hamas' ally, wants to pick up the tab of supporting the shattered Palestinian economy, let them, it can only bankrupt that terror loving regime.I only hope that the morally bankrupt Europeans won't give in and let their aid flow to Hamas in some blind hope that they can influence Hamas to act correctly. As President Bush has stated nations are either against terrorists or with them. Seeing which nations aid a rejectionist Hamas will show which nations place themselves on what side of that issue.

(20) gwendoline lamb, February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

Not one penny to them!

It`s terrible what happened that Hamas won but not one penny, cent or dime must go to them by the civilised world unless and until they recognise Israel and renounce all terrorism....

(19) Aryeh Leib, February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

Saudi Arabia has already picked up the slack

Nothing has changed, the palestinian government is still hell bent on destroying Israel, the only difference is that some of the 50 billion dollars will come from another source.

Geotge Bush said, feed a terrorist you are a terrorist, supporting the former palestinain government proves that George Bush by his own words is a terrorist.

(18) George Schroeder, February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

REMOVAL

The best solution to the problems with Hamas is removal of the Arabs from West Bank and Gaza. No questions about it!

(17) YIRMIYAHU DOV BENYAACOV, February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

CUT OFF FUNDING

LET'S SEE THE REJECTIONIST STATES FUND THE P.A. THEY ARE ALREADY SMUGGLING MONEY TO THEM;HOW MUCH MORE CAN THEY GIVE? SURELY NOT AS MUCH AS THE WEST IS CURRENTLY GIVING THEM!WILL THE RESULT MAKE THEM CHANGE THEIR OUTLOOK? IT'S CERTAINLY NOT GUARANTEED BUT PERHAPS THE ENSUING POVERTY COULD HELP CHANGE THEIR FOCUS AWAY FROM ARMAMENTS TOWARDS PROVIDING THOSE IN TTHE P.A. WITH A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING.NO GUARANTEES WITH THIS GROUP WITH THEIR MARTYR MINDSET.

(16) Margarita Stein, February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

Support terrorism? How could you even think about it?

Support terrorism? How could you even think about it?
Didn't Golda Meir made the same mistake? shouldn't we learn from the first time? Money that you will give them will not help anything but more bombs, as it was proven by history before.

(15) Lawrence Finder, February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

Cut off funds to Hamas.

This is an opportune time for those governments who profess to abhor terrorism to put their rhetoric to the test. The civilized nations of the world should cut off all aid to any government that espouses genocide and extermination. If rogue states (Iran, Syria, etc.) want to come to the aid of Hamas, let the world see.

(14) Ari, February 6, 2006 12:00 AM

The world will cave

The world will treat Hamas the way I treat my son when I don't want to give him candy. I am a softy when it comes to my 3 son and if I hear him say I am sorry and smile I will give in. The "world" will do the same with Hamas. They will "demand" superficial actions and comments that are enough to allow them to save face and then turn around and fund the moderate factions and "humanitarian" services of Hamas.

(13) marty nerl, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

don't "define down" compliance

As usual,the Rabbi's comments are right on the mark.However,its important to listen to how the U.S.,U.N.,E.U. define the UNLESS."We won't fund Hamas unless they..."It is almost meaningless to talk tough and threaten cutting off funding when the UNLESS is defined as making vague statements in English,not to the local populace,but to world media about sometime in the future considering Israel's right to exist.That's similar to the NYC Board of Education raising the difficulty of the recent Math A regents exam while at the same time lowering the passing score to 33 out of a possible 84 points.Tough consequences with low standards don't mean much.

(12) wendy, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

Not one penny for terrorists

They are all the same - Hamas, Islamic Jihaad, Al Quada, the terrorists in Chechnya - no matter where they are they are all connected through an imbilical cord of hatred, lust for power, and hatred for anything that does not conform to their sick ideology.
Look at their animalistic behavior over a cartoon - would they protest in such a manner when an innocent hostage has his throat slit on a video, or women or children are blown up - even when it is their own brothers they are silent - this is a sick culture covered by a patina of "religion" - NOT A PENNY

(11) andy, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

global boycott

the presure of a worldwide boycott will expose rogue governments and/or entities financing the dreaded H word.They cannot be allowed to rule without extreme scruitinism and global intercession. I dout not, they will be funded by private org's.Or some by obscure scheme portraying a humanitarian front.
Forget not! MASADA!

(10) Joseph Nigrin, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

Hamas financial support

Hamas won't go broke if not receiving money, from the EU, Israeli taxes from palestinians, or other financial groups. They can find enough willing antiisraelis to help them under the table. The main concern should be to bring them to negotiate a peaceful settlement in conjunction with Fatha's Abbu Abas, to govern the future democratic Islamic Palestinian State, to survive next to the Jewish stablished State of Israel, in harmony and progress, for the welfare and improvement of both comming generations.

(9) mark, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

we must not allow their terror at a discount

The message of Hamas, Iran, etc. is nothing less than a 21st century Wansee Conference. We can no more change or control their goals by funding them,than "can a leopard change his spots"...Make them bleed their own blood for their evil plans; then more quickly will they arrive at a decision to seek peace.

(8) Anonymous, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

hamas is part of a responsible government

hamas is no longer a terrorist entity. it is now the responsible ruler of a e responsible government. if it perpetrates acts of war the response of israel should be appropriate,i.e. war as was the response to responsible governments in 1967 and 1973.

(7) Martin Kessler, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

Hamas? What is Hamas?

The world and Israel is absolutely nuts in their announced quandary over the Hamas election. I am pleased they won. But I recommend we do not recognize, accept, or negotiate with Hamas. And by all means do not ask [ beg ] them for recognition of Israel as a condition of receiving funds. Just who is Hamas? Nothing but a ragtag bunch of Saudi financed insolent terrorists who have the presumption and conceit to make demands--and we're letting them get away without snickering in return. The very idea that the whole world is down on its knees, begging a murderous organization whose goals are achieved by murdering Jews to recognize Israel's right to exist, is downright insulting. And Israel, What are you? Are you some insignificant weak coward who needs their approval? No! A pox on them. Do not ask them to disarm. Encourage them to form an mighty army. The bigger the better and therefore the sooner the better to quash them! What Israel must do is ignore Hamas and all the left-over Arab Palestinians who are still not welcomed in any Arab country. What we have before us is not unusual. Never in the history of the world has an indigenous population readily welcomed a permanent intrusion of massive foreign bodies without conflict. Never! In time first it was the Arabs, then the PLO, and now its Hamas to continue the conflict. In time it will be resolved. It always is, and never in the favor of the indigenous population. Never!Let them come begging to Israel for recognition. In time they will come crawling. Mark my words.

mdk4130@aol.com

(6) Vernon Vaz, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

Aid should never entertained for any country that seeks the anialation of another

The right to exist is fundimental for any people.G-d
will make his own decision.

(5) Philip, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

The answer is a simple one. There can be no support of terrorist, no matter what. Any country that does is not showing support of Israel no matter how much money they send to them we should not support any country that does.

(4) Scott, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

Hamas

I have no doubt that Arab states will CONTINUE to fund Hamas (this is nothing new), so nothing will change. What HAS changed is that the facade has come down. We now know what so-called palestinians want. They told us with this election. Now, it is up to us to decide who we stand with-Israel or those who want to kill her.

(3) Charlotte, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

No more backing down

I do think it is time to get very tough on Hamas and not to give one more inch of land nor one penny. They are out to destroy Israel and all of the non islamic countries and it can not be allowed. Israel is God's land, no one else has a right to any of it. I pray for the peace of Jerusalem

(2) Maayan, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

what could possibly get worse???

Hamas's stated goal is to destroy Israel and to kill all Jews worldwide. Repeat for American readers: ALL JEWS. Their actions have proved that they mean what they say. How on earth could that message be made more extreme? And what kind of message would America and Europe send by agreeing to fund a genocidal government to the tune of billions of dollars? What possible justification could there be for that? Yes, Hamas and other wannabe Hitlers of the world will probably get money from somewhere. But let it not be from any government that claims to value freedom. Let's not let any Jewish money go to support these terrorists. Honestly, I don't even understand what Rav Solomon's question is. Rav Solomon, what, in your opinion, could Syria or Iran possibly do to make Hamas more extreme?

(1) Salomon K, February 5, 2006 12:00 AM

Never fund the terrorists!!

Under no circumstance, no matter what the consequence should we allow funding of terrorists. If funding begins to come more freely from rogue governments in the middle east or other regions of the world then track this and hold these governments accountable as well. Could you personally be ok with knowing that you sanctioned monies which killed your own child, your neighbor, their children, etc. If it does happen, then let it be despite doing all we could to thwart this evil.
The idea that we would give up a controlling interest in Hamas by halting any funding is ludicrous. We have never had any control over Hamas and this will only happen with force not monies. They are not capitalists, they are fundamentalists. We must stop thinking of this problem from our own perspective and instead think within the mindset of the terrorist.

See All Comments

stub

About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

More by this Author >

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

Click here to order Yaakov Salomon's new book, Salomon Says: 50 Stirring and Stimulating Stories.

In these marvelous stories -- brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective -- we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street. This is a walk through our lives that will be fun, entertaining -- and eye-opening. In our full -- sometimes overfull -- and complex lives, Yaakov Salomon is a welcome and much-needed voice of sanity and reason.

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.