The withholding of privelege or money is not blackmail

Blackmail is when someone ask or money or something else of value in return for not disclosing information that might be embarrassing. That is what the lawyers representing the defendents in the Abu Ghraid scandal did. They attempted to get the charges dropped and said if they were not the pictures of the abuse would be released. The Bush administration refused to bow to their threats and suffered the blows caused by the publication. And, it continued to prosecute the guys responsible for the abuse.

Hamas is claiming that the US and EU's withholding of funds is blackmail. That is not the case. I would compare it to a situation involving Abe Lemmons a former University of Texas basketball coach who was asked by one of his players, "Coach, do we have to run all these wind sprints?" Lemmons replied, "No. But, then I don't have to play you either." Obligations come with priveleges. You would think Hamas' leaders would already know that. All positions have their consequences.

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