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Hamas Victory Fuels Uncertainty (Updated)

Those Palestinians who were fed up with the corruption of the Fatah party (Arafat's old party), saw Hamas - classified as a 'terrorist organization' by the the US, EU, and Israel - as a better alternative. Wisely, Hamas had used its charitable funding of many programs to sway public opinion. So far, the group has not indicated any kind of peace process on its agenda. Whether or not it moderates its stance remains to be seen, as is the West's (Bush's) acceptance of this organization. However, Hamas did win with a majority, in a 'democratic' election, thus representing the will of the people. This should give them validity as a principal player.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Hamas's surprising landslide victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections upended Middle East politics yesterday, making the militant group that has long sworn to destroy Israel a principal player in Palestinian governance.

The entire Palestinian Cabinet resigned even before election officials confirmed that Hamas had captured 76 of 132 seats. Fatah, the longtime ruling party founded by Yasser Arafat, won just 43 seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council, with the remaining 13 going to smaller parties and independents, according to nearly complete returns.

The Hamas victory ended the dominance of the secular Fatah movement that for decades led the Palestinians' quest for statehood, and signaled the rise of an Islamist movement that Israel and the United States consider a terrorist organization. The outcome also throws into turmoil the future of already troubled peacemaking efforts. Read full story here.

UPDATE:

I just read this on CBS.com. Hamas seems to be saying that keeping the ceasefire is up to Israel.

Throughout the campaign, leaders sent mixed signals, hinting they could be open to some sort of accommodation with Israel. Its apparent victory will now force it to take a clearer position on key issues, including whether to abandon its violent ideology.

Hamas officials tried to reassure the world of its intentions.

"Don't be afraid," Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, told the BBC. "Hamas is a Palestinian movement, it is an aware and mature movement, one which is politically open in the Palestinian arena, and to its Arab and Islamic hinterland, and similarly open to the international arena." Read full article here

posted by Annamarie at 4:45 PM