As Hamas sweeps to a democratic victory, Yasser Abu Moailek reports on the paradoxes of power in the Palestinian territories, and what the future may hold.
It was smooth, democratic and non-violent. This is how the Islamist resistance movement Hamas rose to power in the Palestinian territories after a decade of unilateral rule by the pragmatic, secular movement Fatah. The landslide win sent shockwaves not only through the Palestinian population, but across the world, as it brought to a sudden end the Palestinian National Liberation Movement's four decades in power.
Hamas won more than half of the total votes, enabling them to send at least 76 representatives to the 132-seat parliament. In the run-up to elections, Hamas had stated it would not insist on participation in the government if it didn't win, but Fatah officials have already declared they will not join a coalition government led by Hamas.
Samir Al Masharawi, senior Fatah member and former candidate in Gaza, stated that Fatah has the opportunity to become a national opposition party, demanding the leadership of his movement to resign immediately. "We need an emergency leadership that can restore dignity to Fatah and build up its momentum all over again," he said.
As Fatah bitterly accepts the crushing defeat, the world waits anxiously to see what the nature of the relationship between Israel and Hamas will be. The Islamic movement's constitution calls for Israel to be wiped off the map, and their initial post-victory statements confirm that talks with Israel are not on the agenda.
Reciprocally, the Israeli cabinet held an emergency meeting and announced they cannot trust a Palestinian government formed or ruled by Hamas. "The State of Israel will not hold negotiations with a Palestinian government led by an armed terror organisation that advocates Israel's destruction. Israel will continue to fight terror resolutely," said acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Ahmed Qurea and his government resigned, observing that it was "the people's decision; it should be respected". Meanwhile, the political leader of Hamas and its top candidate Ismail Haniyah urged the United States to respect this choice US President George W Bush has previously claimed that they will not hold talks with Hamas until the movement changes its attitude towards destroying Israel.
Meanwhile, Palestinians reflected on the internal triggers of this "political earthquake". Saeb Erakat, the well-known PA chief negotiator and winner of Jericho's only parliamentary seat, cited Israel as the reason for Fatah's defeat in the elections, claiming that "Israel's refusal to go back to the negotiation table with Fatah for the last four years is the true reason for the loss". But a senior Fatah member conceded that their defeat resulted from decade-long internal corruption, which stands in contrast to Hamas' extensive relief network for the poor and needy families. Hamas has taken remedial action at times when the PA was unable to provide support in parts of the Palestinian territories.
Political analyst and news columnist Talal Okal explains that "Hamas has stood up for people's rights through the past five years. The people saw Palestinian officials and Fatah members enjoying the good life, while Hamas leaders were persecuted and hunted down by Israel or the PA security.
"People knew Hamas was able to keep its promise because most of the movement's candidates are already serving the people, whether they were elected or not. The only question now is: will Hamas live up to people's expectations and run a good government, while facing the danger of global alienation?"
