Uh Oh, Looks Like Civil War, Sounds Like Civil War

But of course we know that even though it looks like civil war and it sounds as though it must surely be civil war, it cannot possibly be that. Not at all. We have it on the best authority that the enmity, strife and bloodlust existing between Fatah on the one hand and Hamas on the other cannot result in civil war. It may look like it, it may appear as though it is - but after all, one movement harbouring a deep and abiding hatred for the other and then plotting to kill as many of the offending "others" as possible, is a mere misunderstanding.

Silly us. You can't tell a book by its cover because inside that cover is a covenant of love for one's neighbour. The Palestinians are divided between secular Fatah and religious-based Hamas, one barely abiding the presence of the other, yet sharing geography and now parliament in the Palestinian Authority. They're brethren to be sure, yet implacable enemies; well, don't be so sure. For "civil war" is not in the lexicon of the Palestinians.

We know this because PA Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh has said so. With a tolerant smile for the sad ignorance of the outside world. We have taken his admonishment under advisement and we now understand that there is no threat of civil war breaking out among the Palestinians.

The people really quite enjoy the challenge of making ends meet, having inadequate medical care, insufficient food, being unable to properly care for their children, their crops, their farmlands because Ismail Haniyeh remains adamant that he will not accept the former PA's rapprochement with Israel.

Mr. Haniyeh, that busy-busy man is even now mocking those who suggested he was frightened when accosted by gun-wielding Fatah militias intent on assassination. "We tell all those who believe in the logic of assassination that this does not scare even little children in Hamas," Mr. Haniyeh informed his ardent followers. "We joined this movement to become martyrs, not ministers."

Oops, he wants to be a martyr. Oops, he almost achieved his goal. Oops, he doesn't really want to be prime minister. Oops, he might resign, after all. Oops, there's no civil war. Oops, hard to exlain why Fatah might want to assassinate this good man. Oops, even little children in Hamas are not scared, but little Fatah children, three of them were, and they were murdered for all that.

In Gaza City the streets are clear of people who cower in their homes, fearing ongoing clashes. Clashes, mind you, not civil war.