The recent backlash to demonise Hamas for executing traitors and spies within Gaza has been atrocious. More importantly, it shows a blatant hypocrisy unparalleled on the public platform so far. After the attempted assassination of Hamass military commander (which resulted in the death of his wife and 6 month old child) as well as the killing of three senior Hamas officials during recent airstrikes, reports surfaced announcing convicted collaborators of Israel had been sentenced to death. For anyone who thinks this is barbaric: Hamas is the democratically elected government of Palestine, and every government in the world sentences its traitors to death. Every sovereign state has such mechanisms in place, usually manifested during times of conflict or threat to national security. These mechanisms take the form of legislation, or royal prerogatives. For example, the UK had the Treachery Act 1940 to facilitate the execution of German spies during World War II through an accelerated trial procedure. More recently, the US have been attempting to extradite and execute Edward Snowden under treason for leaking state secrets to enemy countries. Throughout mankinds existence, high treason has always been punished by execution- often by more brutal means for less serious instances. It is important to bear in mind that although some of us are fortunate enough to live in times of peace, the Law is made for all times. There are dormant laws everywhere which exist to safeguard civilian lives from domestic betrayal. When necessary, any state will proactively publicise and employ such laws; they exist not only as punishment, but also a strong deterrent. In this particular context, Gaza is a small strip of land with 1.8 million inhabitants. The past month has seen 2,100 killed, and over 10,000 wounded. More than 420 tonnes of bombs have been dropped on schools, hospitals, homes, graveyards, Churches, Mosques, and even beaches. Besides the mental distress, social unrest, and disdain which betrayal in this situation would cause, there is also a very real risk. This risk is misinformation. Spies in Gaza relay location information of Hamas government or military officials to Israel. In such a small city, any mistake will obviously cause devastating casualties- these mistakes always occur. Informants in Gaza literally sell the lives of hundreds (at a time) of their brothers and sisters for the sake of some small monetary compensation from Israel. Why is it that Britain, the US, China, Russia, Italy, and every other elected government and lawmakers can justifiably enforce this rule, but Gaza cannot? If anything, such dire circumstances where traitors are causing hundreds of deaths with misinformation should make its enforcement more justified. Also, unlike the accelerated prosecution used by Britain during World War II, Hamas are reportedly using real trial procedures to determine guilt- evidence, witnesses, confessions, representation, and conviction all play a role in face of the final result. So, why the hypocrisy?
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 08:21:54 +0000
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