Palestinian Elections

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PDJ

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I am surprised no one has commented on this yet. Hamas, classed as a terrorist orgainstaion by many countries around the world. They won 76 seats for a majority and have been asked to form a new Government. I think this can only be a backward step for the Palestinians.

From the bbc site

Hamas invited to form government

Hamas' strong showing has caused consternation in Israel and the US
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has announced that he will ask Islamic militant group Hamas to form a new government after its election victory.
Hamas took 76 out of the 132 seats in the landmark election, beating Mr Abbas' ruling Fatah faction.

The comments came as Hamas faced increasing international pressure to renounce violence against Israel.

A gunbattle erupted on Friday between supporters of Hamas and Fatah in the Gaza Strip, witnesses say.


Click here to see further election result details
At least two people are said to have been wounded in the violence near the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

Israeli 'fear'

Mr Abbas' comments came after a senior Hamas leader said the Palestinian leader had agreed to start consultations shortly on "a political partnership".




Press eyes Hamas' next steps
US policy challenge

Ismail Haniya said he had asked to meet Mr Abbas in the next two days to work out the make-up of the next administration.

Correspondents say the meeting will have to be in Gaza, as Israel is unlikely to give permission for a Hamas delegation to travel across Israel to the West Bank.

Israeli interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ruled out any talks with "an armed terror organisation that calls for Israel's destruction".

A government spokesman then said daily contacts with the Palestinian Authority would be assessed on a case-by-case basis, but he repeated Israel's determination not to engage in peace talks with Hamas until it renounced violence and its commitment to the destruction of Israel.

International reaction

The US, UN, EU and Russia issued a statement on Thursday calling on Hamas to renounce violence and accept Israel's right to exist.

A victory for Hamas is positive and unsettling at the same time

Jarvin McCrafken, St Louis, US


Palestinian poll: Your views
In quotes: World reaction

The four powers working for peace in the Middle East will hold talks in London on Monday to decide what to do after the victory, which is seen to pose problems for efforts to restart peace talks with Israel.

In Washington, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice warned the US would not give a Palestinian government under Hamas any direct aid, which it brands a terrorist organisation.

US President George W Bush said Washington would not deal with Hamas unless it rejected its call to destroy Israel.

Hamas has indicated its readiness to continue an unofficial truce.



Hamas' strong showing has caused consternation in Israel and the US

1996 ELECTION
1) Fatah: 55 seats
2) Independent Fatah: 7 seats
3) Independent Islamists: 4
4) Independent Christians: 3
5) Independents: 15 seats
6) Samaritans: 1 seat
7) Others: 1 seat
8): Vacant: 2 seats 2006 ELECTION
1) Hamas - 76 seats
2) Fatah - 43 seats
3) PFLP - 3 seats
4) Badeel - 2 seats
5) Independent Palestine - 2
6) Third Way - 2 seats
7) Independent/other - 4





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Maybe, like Sinn Fein did after making political inroads, they'll start to take a more realistic stance.
 
I think this election shows the palestinian reality, the majority of the population side with the terrorist and this is a conflict with absolutely no solution.

Hamas will mantein their terrorist actions,USA and UE will end the funds provision and the Iran president(the new stadist of the zone)will give them the money to be even more extremist than they have been in the recent past.
 
This is what you get when you give each person a vote.

Take a look at how many UN Resolutions that the Israelis have ignored.


1955-1992:
* Resolution 106: " . . . 'condemns' Israel for Gaza raid".
* Resolution 111: " . . . 'condemns' Israel for raid on Syria that killed fifty-six people".
* Resolution 127: " . . . 'recommends' Israel suspends it's 'no-man's zone' in Jerusalem".
* Resolution 162: " . . . 'urges' Israel to comply with UN decisions".
* Resolution 171: " . . . determines flagrant violations' by Israel in its attack on Syria".
* Resolution 228: " . . . 'censures' Israel for its attack on Samu in the West Bank, then under Jordanian control".
* Resolution 237: " . . . 'urges' Israel to allow return of new 1967 Palestinian refugees".
* Resolution 248: " . . . 'condemns' Israel for its massive attack on Karameh in Jordan".
* Resolution 250: " . . . 'calls' on Israel to refrain from holding military parade in Jerusalem".
* Resolution 251: " . . . 'deeply deplores' Israeli military parade in Jerusalem in defiance of Resolution 250".
* Resolution 252: " . . . 'declares invalid' Israel's acts to unify Jerusalem as Jewish capital".
* Resolution 256: " . . . 'condemns' Israeli raids on Jordan as 'flagrant violation".
* Resolution 259: " . . . 'deplores' Israel's refusal to accept UN mission to probe occupation".
* Resolution 262: " . . . 'condemns' Israel for attack on Beirut airport".
* Resolution 265: " . . . 'condemns' Israel for air attacks for Salt in Jordan".
* Resolution 267: " . . . 'censures' Israel for administrative acts to change the status of Jerusalem".
*Resolution 270: " . . . 'condemns' Israel for air attacks on villages in southern Lebanon".
* Resolution 271: " . . . 'condemns' Israel's failure to obey UN resolutions on Jerusalem".
* Resolution 279: " . . . 'demands' withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon".
* Resolution 280: " . . . 'condemns' Israeli's attacks against Lebanon".
* Resolution 285: " . . . 'demands' immediate Israeli withdrawal form Lebanon".
* Resolution 298: " . . . 'deplores' Israel's changing of the status of Jerusalem".
* Resolution 313: " . . . 'demands' that Israel stop attacks against Lebanon".
* Resolution 316: " . . . 'condemns' Israel for repeated attacks on Lebanon".
* Resolution 317: " . . . 'deplores' Israel's refusal to release Arabs abducted in Lebanon".
* Resolution 332: " . . . 'condemns' Israel's repeated attacks against Lebanon".
* Resolution 337: " . . . 'condemns' Israel for violating Lebanon's sovereignty".
* Resolution 347: " . . . 'condemns' Israeli attacks on Lebanon".
* Resolution 425: " . . . 'calls' on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon".
* Resolution 427: " . . . 'calls' on Israel to complete its withdrawal from Lebanon.
* Resolution 444: " . . . 'deplores' Israel's lack of cooperation with UN peacekeeping forces".
* Resolution 446: " . . . 'determines' that Israeli settlements are a 'serious
obstruction' to peace and calls on Israel to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention".
* Resolution 450: " . . . 'calls' on Israel to stop attacking Lebanon".
* Resolution 452: " . . . 'calls' on Israel to cease building settlements in occupied territories".
* Resolution 465: " . . . 'deplores' Israel's settlements and asks all member
states not to assist Israel's settlements program".
* Resolution 467: " . . . 'strongly deplores' Israel's military intervention in Lebanon".
* Resolution 468: " . . . 'calls' on Israel to rescind illegal expulsions of
two Palestinian mayors and a judge and to facilitate their return".
* Resolution 469: " . . . 'strongly deplores' Israel's failure to observe the
council's order not to deport Palestinians".
* Resolution 471: " . . . 'expresses deep concern' at Israel's failure to abide
by the Fourth Geneva Convention".
* Resolution 476: " . . . 'reiterates' that Israel's claim to Jerusalem are 'null and void'".
* Resolution 478: " . . . 'censures (Israel) in the strongest terms' for its
claim to Jerusalem in its 'Basic Law'".
* Resolution 484: " . . . 'declares it imperative' that Israel re-admit two deported
Palestinian mayors".
* Resolution 487: " . . . 'strongly condemns' Israel for its attack on Iraq's
nuclear facility".
* Resolution 497: " . . . 'decides' that Israel's annexation of Syria's Golan
Heights is 'null and void' and demands that Israel rescinds its decision forthwith".
* Resolution 498: " . . . 'calls' on Israel to withdraw from Lebanon".
* Resolution 501: " . . . 'calls' on Israel to stop attacks against Lebanon and withdraw its troops".
* Resolution 509: " . . . 'demands' that Israel withdraw its forces forthwith and unconditionally from Lebanon".
* Resolution 515: " . . . 'demands' that Israel lift its siege of Beirut and
allow food supplies to be brought in".
* Resolution 517: " . . . 'censures' Israel for failing to obey UN resolutions
and demands that Israel withdraw its forces from Lebanon".
* Resolution 518: " . . . 'demands' that Israel cooperate fully with UN forces in Lebanon".
* Resolution 520: " . . . 'condemns' Israel's attack into West Beirut".
* Resolution 573: " . . . 'condemns' Israel 'vigorously' for bombing Tunisia
in attack on PLO headquarters.
* Resolution 587: " . . . 'takes note' of previous calls on Israel to withdraw
its forces from Lebanon and urges all parties to withdraw".
* Resolution 592: " . . . 'strongly deplores' the killing of Palestinian students
at Bir Zeit University by Israeli troops".
* Resolution 605: " . . . 'strongly deplores' Israel's policies and practices
denying the human rights of Palestinians.
* Resolution 607: " . . . 'calls' on Israel not to deport Palestinians and strongly
requests it to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention.
* Resolution 608: " . . . 'deeply regrets' that Israel has defied the United Nations and deported Palestinian civilians".
* Resolution 636: " . . . 'deeply regrets' Israeli deportation of Palestinian civilians.
* Resolution 641: " . . . 'deplores' Israel's continuing deportation of Palestinians.
* Resolution 672: " . . . 'condemns' Israel for violence against Palestinians
at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount.
* Resolution 673: " . . . 'deplores' Israel's refusal to cooperate with the United
Nations.
* Resolution 681: " . . . 'deplores' Israel's resumption of the deportation of
Palestinians.
* Resolution 694: " . . . 'deplores' Israel's deportation of Palestinians and
calls on it to ensure their safe and immediate return.
* Resolution 726: " . . . 'strongly condemns' Israel's deportation of Palestinians.
* Resolution 799: ". . . 'strongly condemns' Israel's deportation of 413 Palestinians
and calls for their immediate return.
 
Honest Tom.
Sinn Fein have never won a majority in N.Ireland,and even after the the IRA have stated that they will use the ballot box,no bugger believes them.
 
In the absence of Brian to represent the other side, Derek, thanks for that. Strange how Israeli intransigence is never mentioned, is it? How the UN has failed to send in a few envoys to sort 'em out? How terribly, terribly quiet the bullying USA has been down the decades, all the time blaming Yasser Arafat for continuing the 'problem'? PDJ, how can Hamas be bad for the Palestinians, when the Palestinians voted them in by a majority? They're bad news for Fatah supporters, who'll have to accept the shock of what democracy in action means!

At last, a ball has started to roll, which will lead towards the reinstatement of something resembling a homeland for Palestinians. We may have learned one lesson from the misguided sentiment of implementing the Balfour Agreement, though: instead of appropriating countries and giving them away to 'deserving causes', we just invade them instead, knock them about, and then give them back to whichever deserving cause we think fits our own cause best. Not a lot changes.
 
Originally posted by PDJ@Jan 27 2006, 02:43 PM
I think this can only be a backward step for the Palestinians.

[
Click to expand...
Maybe they figured that things couldn't get much worse.

It seems the US may stop its aid to the Palestinians (which as I understand it, represents about 1% of what they give to Israel) on the back of the election results.

So Bush and his cohorts want to spread democracy to the middle east, but only on the proviso that the locals don't have the brass neck to elect someone that the US don't like.
 
Originally posted by rumoursabound@Jan 27 2006, 06:07 PM
This is what you get when you give each person a vote.

Take a look at how many UN Resolutions that the Israelis have ignored.
Click to expand...
Meh, as a (lapsed) Jew myself, i say fuck the UN and the Palestinians.
 
Being Jewish, lapsed or unlapsed, has been no bar to strong pro-Palestinian support in Israel, by Israelis, Euronymous. Your statement makes as much sense as saying 'being a Christian, I say fuck all Germans', since being Palestinian is a matter of nationality, not religion - I knew plenty of Christian Palestinians when I worked in the Middle East. Maybe all that early head-banging affected the logic section of your brain.
 
Jon, my point is that voting Hamas in will be bad for the Palestinians as there will be many countries who simply refuse to negotiate with an organiation they see as terrorists. This can't help the Palestinians is their just cause for a homeland, can it?

Euronymous, imagine you are at home and someone bangs on your door and TELLS you you have to leave your house as someone else needs it. Wouldn't you be a bit peeved? The Palestinians have a genuine argument to a homeland of their own, one that was theirs before World War II for centuries.
 
So Bush and his cohorts want to spread democracy to the middle east, but only on the proviso that the locals don't have the brass neck to elect someone that the US don't like.
Click to expand...

Indeed. The Israelis, Bush and Blair better get ready to behold the power of a popular mandate.
 
But there is more....

The Jews were not to popular in Merry Old England,it took several hundred years before they were allowed to mingle,so to speak.


Of course,all this begs the question:

Why do the Jews always get selected,from a host of other applicants,to be mistreated?
 
Having the dominant religion of Europe vilify them as Christ-killers for a few hundred years wouldn't have helped.
 
Pee: the alternative, other major party was Al-Fatah, the now rather tired militant remnant of -- (roll of drums, burst of gunfire) -- the Palestine Liberation Organisation, fronted for decades by Yasser Arafat! In its turn, the PLO not only had Al-Fatah supported by mostly Libya, Syria, and Lebanon, but its very West-hostile sub-group, Al-Nidal, went off at a tangent to promote suicide bombings which killed hundreds of people. Therefore, a vote for Al-Fatah would be a vote for, in essence, the PLO - not exactly a 'non-terrorist' organisation.

There is NO group which represents some tail-wagging, eager little puppy dog, ready to lick the West's face (or rather, its two faces). More ready to pee on its shoes, perhaps. However disparate and fractured the various factions have been, though, they have created enough mayhem and shown their people's sorrows enough times to a now tired West and a slightly shamed Israel. Israel's great wall of apartheid was probably the last straw in helping fence-sitters to see the injustices being done over and over again to a disenfranchised people, who had done absolutely nothing wrong, ever, up until the time they had their lands and homes wrenched from them. And apart from all the exposure of wrongdoings, the shooting of foreign journalists by Israeli troops, the hostage-taking on both sides, frankly, the game was getting expensive to maintain for no real return. It's not like there are billions of barrels of oil to be eyed up by a fuel-greedy West.

Anyone who's lived for 20-30 years in an overcrowded refugee camp, with no right to vote, no right to land, no right to buy a home, no right to free movement, no right to one's own ethnic identity, etc., on and on, might just have a wee bit of a grievance against the West. But I don't suppose things will settle down in Palestine, once it's fully formed in a few years' time - there will still have to be some intra- and inter-factional fights, assassinations, some more bombings, until power and control shifts and settles into place.
 
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