Hamas leader 'ready for partnership'
The top Hamas leader today told Mahmoud Abbas that the Islamic militant group was ready for a political partnership after trouncing the Palestinian leader’s Fatah Party in legislative elections – a shocking upset sure to throw Middle East peacemaking into turmoil.
It was not clear whether Fatah would accept a junior position in a Hamas-led government. Abbas, who favours peace talks with Israel, has said he would resign if he could no longer pursue his agenda. Aides said he planned a major speech tonight.
Israel and the United States have said they would not deal with a government led by Hamas, which has carried out dozens of suicide bombings and which they consider a terrorist group.
Acknowledging the Hamas victory, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and his cabinet ministers resigned today – hours before official results from yesterday’s vote were released.
“This is the choice of the people. It should be respected,” Qureia said. “If it’s true, then the president should ask Hamas to form a new government.” The cabinet remained in office in caretaker capacity.
Under the law, Abbas must ask the largest party in the new parliament - presumably Hamas – to form the next government. Abbas was elected separately a year ago and remains president.
Reactions to the Hamas victory streamed in from around the world. Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, according to news reports, called it a “very, very, very bad result”.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU external relations commissioner, said Hamas must be “ready to work for peace” with Israel if it joins the Palestinian government.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan congratulated the Palestinian people on the peaceful legislative elections, which he views as an important step toward a Palestinian state.
Hamas said before the election it did not want to govern alone, and would prefer to bring Fatah into a coalition. Hamas officials said the group would declare its intentions after official results are announced.
Hamas’ exiled supreme leader, Khaled Mashaal, called Abbas from Syria to discuss the results.
“He stressed Hamas insisted on a partnership with all the Palestinian factions, especially our brothers in Fatah,” Hamas said on its website.
Hamas capitalised on widespread discontent with Fatah’s corruption and ineffectiveness. Much of its campaign focused on internal Palestinian issues, while playing down the conflict with Israel.
Before the election, Hamas had suggested it would be content as a junior partner in the next government, thus avoiding a decision on its relationship with Israel. Throughout the campaign, leaders sent mixed signals, hinting they could be open to some sort of accommodation with Israel.
Its apparent victory will now force it to take a clearer position on key issues, including whether to abandon its violent ideology.
Mushir al-Masri, a Hamas candidate who won election in the northern Gaza Strip, sent mixed signals about the group’s plans. He said peace talks and recognition of Israel are “not on our agenda” but the group is ready for a partnership – presumably with Abbas.
Fatah’s official position wasn’t immediately clear. Officials appeared to be in shock, turning off their phones and avoiding reporters. There was no reaction from Abbas.
One defeated Fatah candidate, Nabil Amr, said he did not expect his party to accept a junior position in a Hamas-led government. “I don’t think Fatah can participate in a lower position,” said Amr.
Israeli officials declined comment, but senior security officials gathered today to discuss the results.
Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert scheduled talks with senior officials later in the day.
Olmert said yesterday, before Hamas claimed victory, that Israel cannot trust a Palestinian leadership in which the Islamic group has a role.
“Israel can’t accept a situation in which Hamas, in its present form as a terror group calling for the destruction of Israel, will be part of the Palestinian Authority without disarming,” Olmert said in a statement issued by his office.
Wednesday’s election marked the first time Hamas has contested a legislative vote, and leading the cabinet could give it significant powers.
The cabinet holds wide control over security forces, finance and other government functions, though Abbas has retained power mainly through tradition and political leverage.
Abbas, in his role as leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, would still remain in charge of negotiations with Israel.
Palestinian election officials confirmed early Thursday that Hamas had won a large majority of the seats up for grabs in electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza.
Half the seats in yesterday’s parliament vote were chosen on a national list and the other half by districts.
While the national voting appeared to be close, election officials said Hamas had won a large majority in the district races. Hamas apparently took advantage of divisions in Fatah. The long-ruling party fielded multiple candidates in many districts, allowing the Islamic group to capitalise.
The Central Election Commission said the vote count had not been completed and that it would make an official announcement at 7pm local time (5pm Irish time) today.
Initial exit polls had forecast a slight edge for Fatah, with Hamas coming in a strong second. The polls predicted that neither party would have a majority and would have to rely on smaller parties to form a coalition.
However, this morning, Hamas officials said the group had won up to 75 seats - giving it a solid majority in the 132-member parliament.
Officials in Fatah conceded that Hamas had won about 70 seats.
Palestinian pollsters were at a loss to explain the discrepancy between the exit polls. Many voters said they had been afraid to admit to pollsters they had supported Hamas, fearing retribution.
Following the exit polls showing them winning, Fatah loyalists fired rifles out of car windows, sounded their horns and waved the yellow flag of their movement in celebration.
Palestinian politician Hanan Ashrawi, who apparently was re-elected on a moderate platform, said the Hamas victory was a dramatic turning point for the Palestinians.
She said she was concerned the militants will now impose their fundamentalist social agenda and lead the Palestinians into international isolation.
She said Fatah’s corruption, Israel’s tough measures and international indifference to the plight of the Palestinians were to blame for Hamas’ strong showing.
Washington miscalculated in pushing for the vote, as part of its pro-democracy campaign in the Arab world, she said. “The Americans insisted on having the election now, so they have to respect the results of the election, as we all do,” she said.
Israel has repeatedly asked Abbas to force Hamas and other militant groups to disarm but Abbas has refused, warning such an act could cause civil war. Hamas has committed dozens of suicide bombings against Israel.
US President George Bush told The Wall Street Journal in an interview yesterday that the United States would not deal with Hamas until it renounced its position calling for the destruction of Israel.
Turnout for yesterday’s vote was heavy, with nearly 78% of 1.3 million eligible voters casting ballots.
The polling stations were heavily guarded, and there were no reports of major violence.
International observers, led by former US President Jimmy Carter and former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, reported no major problems with fraud.
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