GAZA CITY — Hamas, regarded by the West as a terrorist movement, has
sought to reform its image as the group plans to take over the Palestinian
Authority.
Hamas, projected by polls to receive between 30-35 percent of the vote,
no longer stresses its record of suicide bombings in the war against Israel, Middle East Newsline reported.
The movement has also ordered spokespeople to assure audiences that the
expected Hamas takeover of the PA would not endanger the West.
The new image sought by Hamas has been formulated by Nashat Aqtash, a
media consultant based in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Aqtash, who
teaches media at Bir Zeit University, plans to meet prominent foreigners and
explain Hamas's position on Israel.
Aqtash, who has received a $180,000 contract from Hamas, has scheduled
appointments with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former Swedish
Prime Minister Carl Bildt. Both Westerners plan to monitor the Palestinian
Legislative Council elections, scheduled for Jan. 25.
"We don't need the international community to accept Hamas ideology,"
Aqtash said. "We need it to accept the facts on the ground."
[On Sunday, Palestinian police and security officers voted in PLC
elections. Officials said more than 60,000 officers were eligible to vote
until Jan. 23 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.]
Over the last two weeks, Hamas has softened its anti-Israeli propaganda.
Hamas candidates for the PLC have raised the prospect of an accommodation
with Israel and stressed that they do not hate Jews.
On its new Al Aqsa television station in Gaza City, Hamas has begun
broadcasting programming for children. So far, much of the programming
consisted of readings from the Koran.
To date, Hamas has won endorsement from Egypt. Egypt has enabled Hamas
to establish offices in Cairo where the two sides often convene for
consultations.
"I am confident that Hamas recognizes the existence of Israel and I am
confident that it is able to coexist with the idea of negotiations with
Israel," Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al Gheit
told the London-based A-Sharq Al Awsat on Jan. 21. "We believe that Hamas
joining the political
process will lead to a fundamental change in its thinking and its premises."
Hamas's new message appeared to be limited to international and Israeli
audiences. At rallies over the weekend, Hamas leaders pledged that the
movement would keep its missile and rocket stockpile
for attacks against Israel.
"They try to apply pressure on Hamas to give up the resistance and the
weapons," Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh told a rally in Gaza City on Jan. 20.
"Today, we are here to say that they have ailed."
