| Submit your comments on this article |
| Israel-Palestine |
| Hamas to Boycott Palestinian Elections |
| 2004-12-01 |
| A Hamas leader announced Wednesday that the militant group will boycott upcoming Palestinian presidential elections, the first sign of open tensions between the interim Palestinian leadership and the Islamic opposition group since the death of Yasser Arafat. The announcement by Hamas leader Ismail Hanieh could undercut the legitimacy of the Jan. 9 election, though Hamas said it would honor the outcome. Hamas has tens of thousands of supporters and is particularly strong in the Gaza Strip. "We are not calling on the Palestinian people to boycott the election, but Hamas members will follow the decision to boycott the election," Hanieh said. Hanieh spoke as Egyptian and Israeli leaders met in Jerusalem to discuss Israel's planned withdrawal from Gaza next year. Israeli officials said the two sides agreed in principle to allow Egypt to deploy additional troops along its volatile border with Gaza to help ensure quiet after the pullout. Since Arafat's death, the rival Palestinian factions have maintained a fragile calm, pledging to maintain unity during the current transitional period. Hanieh said his group would boycott the election because it did not include legislative and municipal elections as well. The interim Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, is a frontrunner in the presidential race, but Hamas would likely make a strong showing in local races. In the West Bank, Abbas played down Hamas' decision. "If they want to boycott these elections, it is up to them," he said. Formally launching his campaign, Abbas called for a renewal of peace talks with Israel and said the two sides would meet after the election. "We must have a dialogue with the Israelis," Abbas said at his campaign headquarters. "After the elections, we will meet again" to discuss the road map. The internationally backed peace plan calls for the establishment of an independent state next year, but has been stalled since it was signed in June 2003. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #10 one additional consideration: Any candiate put up by Hamas would be, in effect, a Hamas "leader." Any Hamas leader is a legitimate target for Israel, since Hamas is commited to the destruction of Israel and Israelis. Hell...they don't even say who their leader is now. |
| Posted by: PlanetDan 2004-12-01 4:51:05 PM |
| #9 the importance of the level of voter participation depends on the political context. Id agree that in this case non-participation by Hamas is of minor significance to this election. Those Pals whose recognition of Abbas's leadership matters, the moderates and fencesitters, are likely not that concerned with what Hamas does. This does not mean the same applies in all other elections, where the political situation is different. |
| Posted by: Liberalhawk 2004-12-01 3:16:10 PM |
| #8 An election is not automatically "illegitimate" if voter participation is less than 100% BY CHOICE. If there are some potential voters who choose not to vote, then they have cast their vote for "nobody" or "I don't give a d*mn". Those who think that their deliberate non-participation in an otherwise fair election somehow de-legitimizes it have an opinion of their authority that is way too big to be legitimate in itself. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2004-12-01 3:00:21 PM |
| #7 two possible reasons for the Hamas boycott 1. they think their candidates would do poorly and don't want to chance it 2. they think their candidates would do well but don't want the responsibility that would go with elected office 3. They wish to exercise their "right" to kill Joooos indefinitely. 4: They think democracy's a Jewish plot. |
| Posted by: Korora 2004-12-01 2:58:56 PM |
| #6 democracy is antithetical to intimidation which is the sine qua non of islaminazis--they consider democracy a religion to be demonized and crushed as being anathema to allah and his word ie sharia--reread your sayeed qutb dudes |
| Posted by: SON OF TOLUI 2004-12-01 12:58:58 PM |
| #5 3. They wish to exercise their "right" to kill Joooos indefinitely. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2004-12-01 11:09:33 AM |
| #4 1 additional: they can't equate their command structure with a slate of candidates, and to do so might cause an internal split |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-12-01 11:09:19 AM |
| #3 two possible reasons for the Hamas boycott 1. they think their candidates would do poorly and don't want to chance it 2. they think their candidates would do well but don't want the responsibility that would go with elected office |
| Posted by: mhw 2004-12-01 10:48:11 AM |
| #2 "After the elections, we will meet again" to discuss the road map. What is there to discuss? For heaven's sake, it's already been established what needs to be done. Just knock off the habitual footdragging and go out and do it. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-12-01 10:45:02 AM |
| #1 Best news so far from the Palistinians! |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2004-12-01 10:20:58 AM |