Be Careful What You Wish For
On January 25, 2006, Palestinians went to the polls to elect a new Palestinian Authority Legislature. The results stunned the world. The terrorists group Hamas won a 74-seat majority in the 132-seat legislature and are now primed to appoint the new Palestinian government. Fatah, the former majority ruling party has refused to join Hamas in a coalition government.
The Palestinians have often expressed complaints about corruption in the Fatah-led government. Little was done by Fatah to address these complaints. In the past, Fatah was the only political party running for election and left little choice to voters. In this legislative election, Hamas fielded candidates for the legislative assembly and promised to clean up government corruption. Palestinians responded to the anti-corruption theme of the Hamas campaign and voted - most probably to send a message to Fatah that corruption had to be eliminated - for Hamas' candidates. Unfortunately for the Palestinians, their protest vote resulted in a Hamas government. Hamas' party platform has also promised a society based on Islamic law and to work towards the destruction of the State of Israel, neither of which voters probably had in mind when marking their ballots. The international community that provides half of the Palestinian government's budget (over $1 billion a year) has promised to review future contributions in light of Hamas' stance against Israel.
What probably started out as a protest vote, hoping to cut into Fatah's margin of victory, has instead resulted in throwing out Fatah and replacing it with Hamas. Palestinians voted for less corruption in government and they will in all likelihood get their wish. It is the baggage that Hamas brings with it that will likely keep Palestinians asking themselves what were they thinking when the voted on January 25th that will keep them awake nights.
1/31/2006 ( 366 )
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