Away Land, or Never Never Land?

As big a critic as I am of the "us" and "them" categories the Bush admininstration is fond of using, sometimes the French are even more absurd at distorting reality. France, or "awayland" as I've taken to calling it (as opposed to the "homeland") has recently told Israel that it believes there is no evidence that Hamas and Islamic Jihad are ''terror groups.'' The website albawba.com reports that the diplomatic advisor to Iraq, one Messr. Maurice Gourdalt-Montagne told the Israeli ambassador in France, Nissim Zvilli, that France is not convinced Hamas and Islamic Jihad are "terror" groups. In the article here, the Frenchman says: "'If we find that Hamas and Islamic Jihad are indeed terror groups opposed to peace, we may have to change the EU's stand,' Gordo conveyed. 'However, we mustn't limit ourselves to one, clear cut, position.' " You'd think statements like the one below, might convince the French that limiting onself to a "clear cut" position is often known as "recognizing reality." "I swear we will not leave one Jew in Palestine," he (Mahmoud Zahar, a Hamas leader) said. "We will fight them with our might." Hamas is the largest militant group carrying out bombings and shootings against Israelis. In more than 90 suicide attacks since September 2000 ---- most by Hamas ---- more than 350 people have been killed. Or, the French could take a look at the quotes of children like 12-year old Yehia Dass, who marched in a protest this summer. Even though the boy's father is impriosned by the Israelis...you'd think this kind of thing coming from children educated in Palestinian schools, funded by Palestinian charities, would wel...make it a little more clear cut for the French. "We must continue to kill Jews until our land is freed," he said, as the procession marched from Unknown Soldier Square in downtown Gaza City to the offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). "After the three-month truce is over, we will resume killing them because they want to kill us too and there is no other way," he added in a defiant tone.