Palestinian Elections

[damianob]

It looks like Hamas have done even better than expected and may have overtaken Fatah as the largest party. The latest news is that Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei has resigned and said that Hamas must form the next government.

This is a real sea change in middle east politics. An end to the corrupt and inept Fatah regime and the emergence of the islamists Hamas as the voice of the people.

There's positives and negatives here. Will EU work with Hamas. Will Hamas continue their de facto 'ceasefire'? Interesting times

[MacCoise]

Hamas' mandate must be recognised as simple as that

[damianob]

Hamas' mandate must be recognised as simple as that

Absolutely. But that doesn't mean automatically that they should receive international support or that concerns can't be expressed about their agenda.

Personally I think that the EU should continue it's support of Palestine. With Hamas in power the money might actually get to the people who really need it.

But I remain concerned at the rise of non-secular, islamist political parties, while recognising the appeal that they hold for the people who vote for them.

[Bogwarrior]

Hamas' mandate must be recognised as simple as that

Absolutely. But that doesn't mean automatically that they should receive international support or that concerns can't be expressed about their agenda.

Personally I think that the EU should continue it's support of Palestine. With Hamas in power the money might actually get to the people who really need it.

But I remain concerned at the rise of non-secular, islamist political parties, while recognising the appeal that they hold for the people who vote for them.

Hamas is secular, and includes many Christians, including one of their leaders, Hosam al Taweed, who is a candidate, and contesting for a seat in the Palestinian Legislative Council.

[Oldira]

Hamas' mandate must be recognised as simple as that

Why? So that Christians can be persecuted and women treated as second class citizens? If they have secualr policies then I have no problem in their mandate been respected but if they intend to Islamise Palestine then they should not be dealt with.

[Bogwarrior]

Hamas' mandate must be recognised as simple as that

Why? So that Christians can be persecuted and women treated as second class citizens? If they have secualr policies then I have no problem in their mandate been respected but if they intend to Islamise Palestine then they should not be dealt with.

I think you're confusing Hamas with U.S Allies, The House of Saud, and the Arabian Royal families.
Hamas have more women representatives, than most Irish political parties.

[eurocrat]

Hamas' mandate must be recognised as simple as that

Why? So that Christians can be persecuted and women treated as second class citizens? If they have secualr policies then I have no problem in their mandate been respected but if they intend to Islamise Palestine then they should not be dealt with.

If people voted for them than we have to accept the will of the people. WE can'd just choose the bits of demcoracy that we like and discard the rest.

The situation might well be positve for the Middle-East. We seen in our own country how a bit of democracy can take the edge of terrorism. There's not a huge difference between Sinn Fein and Hammas.

[Oldira]

I will admit I dont know enough about Hamas other than that they are Islamic. Women though can be great oppressors of other women and deniers of Womens rights (remember SPUC). If they truly are secular I can blame the Palestinians voting for them after Fatahs currupt rule.

[eurocrat]

Looks like Hamms have won the election.
BBC

and

Ireland.com

Both report (before offical results it must addedd) that Hamms have taken over 50% of the vote and 70 of the 132 seats. On a turnout of 78% the result seems pretty clear cut.[/url]

[CJH]

Fatah will have to elect the Barghouti chap who is in jail in Israel now if they are to have any hope of regaining the leadership of the Palestinians. According to Sky News, Fatah have said they won't serve in any government with Hamas. Perhaps they hope to give the hardliners in the Islamic party enough rope to hang themselves; as I understand it, most Palestinians are secular-minded and would not approve of a strongly authoritarian Islamic state