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January 27, 2006
Democracy is like a raft: It won't sink, but you will always have your feet wet. Russell B. Long
As many of you know already, Hamas won 76 of the 132 seats in the Palestinian parliament. About 78% of the 1.3 million eligible Palestinians cast their ballots for one of 11 parties, according to the Palestinian Central Elections Commission. Palestine uses a parallel voting system, where 76 members are elected from single member districts, and 66 from party lists apportioned proportionally. Abu Mazen (Abbas), the president of the Palestinian National Authority. This is not a figurehead job like it is in say, Germany or Israel, but a true locus of power and commander of the armed forces. Well, at least he would be if Palestine weren't a failed state.
Hamas, meaning "zeal" or "courage" in Arabic, is also an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawima al-Islamiyya, in English the Islamic Resistance Movement. It is essentially the violent, militant, offshoot of the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood. Early on they focused on increasing the level of religious observance in Palestinian society, but they transformed into a political organization through their charitable activities in the late 60's. In this way they ingratiated themselves into everyday Palestinian life, while fostering and causing (through their own acts of terror by the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades) Palestinian racialism. They are serious Muslim radicals, who do not recognize the right of Israel to exist and aim is to establish an Islamic republic on the land they call Palestine. Both the United States and Israel has discussed cutting off communications with the Palestinian government as a result of this election. It does look grim.
But not all is woe. The Hamas candidate receiving the second most votes, Mohammad Abu Teir, said last week Hamas does not "rule out negotiations" with Israel.Hamas has largely honored the Israeli / Palestinian truce for the last year. Abbas' (and Arafat's old) party, Fattah, isn't that great either, notorious for their corruption and themselves with many members who have sponsored or conducted terror. New blood and a balance of power with Fattah could mean much less corruption. And as I said the other day, Religious democracy is better than secular fascismIran is a state sponsor of Hamas, and look how well Islamic fundamentalism has done to inspire piety there. The young hate it and craving a freer and more secular government. This could be a positive step toward functioning democratic institutions in Palestine.
Will these yahoos likely lead their people to more terror or even war against Israel? It could well be. Will choosing people like this to lead them cost them in aid, make the peace process more difficult and generally worsen the lot of Palestinians? Most likely it will, but I must agree with Anthony Hall, that "it’s for the Palestinian people to decide whether their interests are best served by a government thusly condemned and isolated" If that is what the people want, and they will pay for it, they should have it. I remain confident that a stable, mostly secular, Palestinian democracy will emerge from the islamo-fascist ashes of their present society. Until then do not despair. Be hopeful until disappointed, but ferocious when attacked.
A look at American and European political fallout. Clarity and resolve noticed that Palestinian stocks slid on the news.
Posted by OneEyedMan at January 27, 2006 10:55 AM
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