Hamas has recently secured what the United States would like to refer to as a "shocking" victory in the recent Palestinian elections. Preliminary results give Hamas 76 of the 132 seats in the chamber, with the ruling Fatah party trailing on 43.What does this bode for the future of Palestine? Is the decision to appoint a political group infamous for its terrorist activities really a good thing for Palestine?
I think it is...
Firstly we can rejoice that Palestinians have finally shown that they are unhappy with the rule of Fatah and the corruption that was rife within it.
Secondly we can be happy that Hamas will no longer have to resort to terrorism and violent means for its message to get though. Hamas recently announced that the unilateral truce between Israel and them would continue if Israel honours the truce. I sincerely hope that they do because fighting the pre-election Hamas was a totally different ball game than trying to undermine the only Palestinian government that has managed to capture not just the minds but also the hearts of Palestinians.
Secondly we can be happy that Hamas will no longer have to resort to terrorism and violent means for its message to get though. Hamas recently announced that the unilateral truce between Israel and them would continue if Israel honours the truce. I sincerely hope that they do because fighting the pre-election Hamas was a totally different ball game than trying to undermine the only Palestinian government that has managed to capture not just the minds but also the hearts of Palestinians.
Hamas will now have a legitimate avenue from which to voice out it's policies and to negotiate a viable future for Palestine. I'm optimistic that Hamas will want to take this opportunity to bargain from a position of power and maintain the trust of the people of Palestine by continuing their clean up operations within the party. The Palestinian people too will have a stronger voice championing their cause in the form of Hamas as opposed to Fatah whose neck was leashed by an Israeli rope.
However, the win poses problems for efforts to restart peace talks with Israel, which insists it will not deal with an authority including Hamas. This I fear will be their greatest mistake. Israel has to realise that it is dealing with a Palestine that is increasingly desperate and outraged with the constant Israeli occupation and violence. The first signs of change was the change in Palestinian confidence in Fatah and the rise of Hamas.
But what I find funny is the reaction of the United States to the election. The United States and Israel seem to not want to negotiate with a "terrorist organisation" despite the fact that they were democratically voted into power by the people of Palestine. I find that especially disturbing because the U.S. has always been vocal about protecting democracy and the right to choose but is now choosing to ignore a democratically elected government and cut it out from the peace process. When does a terrorist become a minister?
Strange foreign policy you got there Mr. Bush...
However, the win poses problems for efforts to restart peace talks with Israel, which insists it will not deal with an authority including Hamas. This I fear will be their greatest mistake. Israel has to realise that it is dealing with a Palestine that is increasingly desperate and outraged with the constant Israeli occupation and violence. The first signs of change was the change in Palestinian confidence in Fatah and the rise of Hamas.
But what I find funny is the reaction of the United States to the election. The United States and Israel seem to not want to negotiate with a "terrorist organisation" despite the fact that they were democratically voted into power by the people of Palestine. I find that especially disturbing because the U.S. has always been vocal about protecting democracy and the right to choose but is now choosing to ignore a democratically elected government and cut it out from the peace process. When does a terrorist become a minister?
Strange foreign policy you got there Mr. Bush...
Any predictions on the future of Palestine? Anyone?
6 comments:
True...and unfortunately the future of Palestine is held in balance by these very forces that serve to divide. If Hamas is not recognised, and Hamas in turn refuses to discontinue their hardline stance against Israel, i'm afraid that we are only going to see an escalation of violence in the Middle East.
hi fareez...raihana here.i dont have any predictions on the palestinians future...i just want them to be able to live the way to want to...anyway, i dropped by to say dat i saw farah's pics in the papers....a while ago actually...e article is about her friend...doin law or something...it was a malay paper.mayb mingguan or berita harian on sunday...k byeeee...
I know...have three copies of it already
:-)
Hey Fareez..izzati from matrix here...it will be fun to read ur blog if u update it ;P.heard u just came back from sabah..had a nice journey??
Do we have training in the short sem?..UITM open was fun =)
Fareez, I tumpang post this msg k...TQ
Dear all,
Subject: Perdana Discourse Series 4 - Political Stability
This is kind of a short notice, but the 4th Perdana Discourse Series is as schedule as follows:
Date: 12th April 2006 (Wednesday)
Time: 8.00 am - 5 pm
Venue: Perdana Leadership Foundation, No. 1, Jalan P8H, Precinct 8
62250 Putrajaya, Malaysia
Theme: Political Stability
Keynote address: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad
Panel Speakers: yet to be announced
Group facilitators: 6 - 10 people (please apply for this position)
Breakfast, Lunch, and tea breaks provided, plus goodie bags
Participation: If you are interested to join the discourse series, walk - in registration is available. However, I advise you to contact the Organisers ( Perdana Leadership Foundation) as participation is on a first come - first serve basis.
PLF contact info:
Tel: 03 8885 8900
Fax: 03 8889 1166
Office hours: 8.15am - 530pm
Log on to http://www.perdana.org.my for more info or download the registration form at http://library.perdana.org.my/distb/PDS4/Form.doc
If you are interested to be group facilitators for the group sessions, please contact Dr Rozi of InKA, UiTM ( 03 5544 2075 or 019 2311 131). You will be required to attend a meeting at 5th Floor, New Chancellory Building, UiTM Shah Alam. The meeting is most probably will be held on Friday 7th April.
please forward all queries directly to PLF or InKA as stated above.
Thank you for your support and we hope to see you there!
Regards
Raihana Saad
on behalf of Institute of Knowledge Advancement (InKA)
UiTM , Shah Alam
maybe US is so called dumbfounded not because the new party elected was through democracy as it was but rather because will the new government practice that democracy
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