Hamas rejects 5-year peace deal with Israel

(Gaza) Hamas, the people who rule the statelet of Gaza by the rule of the AK-47, continuously whine about those pesky Jews next door (who for some strange reason won't lie down and die when attacked), by opining to all the world that they are all for peace because, as we all know, Islam is a religion of peace and that actually it's the Jews who are to blame for all of the ills of the ME.

Well, it transpires that an offer by Israel to open up the border between Israel and Gaza in return for a 5-year peace deal has been rejected by Hasmas because, and I quote from Senior Hamas official Dr Mousa Abu-Marzouk:

“The rejection came as it would continue to widen the divide between the two territories, allowing Israel to “swallow it [the West Bank] with the settlements. We're paying a steep price for our stance by the continued blockade and economic pressure over the Strip, but we reject any idea that would lead to the separation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, despite the fact that Palestinian president Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) and his government are actively doing so with their policies."

It would seem that the Hamas leadership understands only too well that peace with Israel and the opening of the border would lead to many Gazans finding work, and with work comes money, and with money comes the chance of improving your lot. Once you have that, you are less inclined to become a Hamas drone in which to murder death kill. Far better for Hamas to keep its people poor and hating Israel (of course the aid money helps).