Hamas election.

[rohirrim TR]

I was wondering what you guys who are from Israel had to say about Hamas winning the [Palestinian] election, I'm not from Israel, but it kind of freaks me out really, a terrorist group who basically ran on the platform of "Lets kill Israeli's" is now running the Palestinian government? what are your first-hand reactions?

And what is going to come of the internal palestinian conflict Hamas V. Fatah?

click here reuters story

[Jonathan]

I may not be from Israel but Hamas's victory in the Palestinian election has upset the whole world more or less.

First I'd like to point out that even though the ultimate goal of Hamas is to wipe out the nation of Israel, the movement is conducting a lot of social activity. Hamas funds schools, clinics and mosques and donates money to the less fortunate. This is greatly appreciated among Palestinians and has made Hamas quite popular. I believe many, if not most, Palestinians who voted for Hamas did it for Hamas's social activity rather than their opposition of Israel's existence.

Having that said, Hamas has got to fundamentally change if they're ever going to have a chance in politics. This is a brutal terrorist organisation and very few nations will be able to even have discussions with them. As long as Hamas is on the terror lists of both the US and EU, it will be almost impossible for them to conduct a functioning foreign policy and in order to even talk to Israel, they have to acknowledge Israel's right to exist. Furthermore, they have to learn to cooperate with Fatah in order to manage domestically.

[Lief Erikson]

Originally Posted by Jonathan

Having that said, Hamas has got to fundamentally change if they're ever going to have a chance in politics. This is a brutal terrorist organisation and very few nations will be able to even have discussions with them. As long as Hamas is on the terror lists of both the US and EU, it will be almost impossible for them to conduct a functioning foreign policy and in order to even talk to Israel, they have to acknowledge Israel's right to exist. Furthermore, they have to learn to cooperate with Fatah in order to manage domestically.

And Fatah and Hamas certainly haven't been getting along of late, by all appearances.

Another reason for the Hamas victory was the corruption in the PA.

[The Gaffer]

All good points. This reminds me of recent elections in Northern Ireland where, in spite of everyone professing their desire for peace, the two most extreme parties got voted in (the Democratic Unionists by the Loyalists and Sinn Fein by the Republicans).

For me, there's a lesson in that parallel in how Sinn Fein, and the IRA, have renounced the armed struggle AFTER becoming engaged in a political process. Note the word AFTER. It is unrealistic to expect an organisation such as that to abandon an armed struggle PRIOR to entering into politics.

So, I am hopeful that with the right sort of handling, Hamas can be persuaded to move away from military conflict. However, I am not particularly hopeful that the right sort of handling will be forthcoming.

[Nurvingiel]

Great thread RohirrimTR. I don't know very much about this situation, but it looks like bad news that Hamas won. Maybe not though.

I agree Gaffer. Why would a group who is willing to engage in violence put down their arms? They would have to gain something like a say in the political process, which violence would jeapordize.

[Bombadillo]

This sucks. I know I'm somewhat ignorant, but judging from the long history of berserker anti-Israel Palestinian cults like Hamas, they won't rule peacefully. I don't know what the voters were thinking.