President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday announced a series of changes to Paleo election laws aimed at bolstering his Fatah Party, as well as the latest attempt by the Palestinian leader to marginalize Hamas. With Abbas’ decree, Palestinians will now vote solely for party lists, while district voting will be eliminated. Hamas swept parliamentary elections last year in large part because of a strong showing at the district level. The decree also requires all presidential and parliamentary candidates to recognize the Fatah-dominated Palestine Liberation Organization as the “sole, Legitimate™ representative” of the Palestinian people.| Somewhere in the fœtid bowels of Hell, Yasser Arafat is smiling. Ugh. |
He also has announced plans for new elections, though no date for the vote has been set.| Apparently my surprise meter took a bullet from the Hamas Executive Force today and has to be sent for repairs. I'm sure you'd understand. |
In a further blow to Hamas, the new election law calls for a runoff in presidential elections until a candidate receives an absolute majority. The change would make it far more difficult for Hamas to capitalize on divisions among secular parties.| RPGs at thirty paces would be quicker and a real crowd-pleaser. |
But while Abbas claims to be the leader of all Palestinians, Hamas remains firmly in control in Gaza and is unlikely to accept a new vote. Regular parliamentary elections are not scheduled until 2010. In Gaza, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum rejected the changes. “Hamas objects to this policy of monopolizing decision making and will not deal with its outcome,” he said.| "It ain't monopolized decision-making until we say it's monopolized decision-making!" |
Barhoum said only the parliament, which is controlled by Hamas, has authority to change election law. But Abbas said he now holds such authority since parliament is no longer functioning.| Ah, the pleasures of Unity Government™. |
Abbas’ new government has been welcomed in the West and by Israel. Abbas has held a series of meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with the goal of drawing up a framework for a future peace deal ahead of a U.S.-sponsored conference in November. But Abbas cautioned that his talks with Olmert have a long way to go. He said if he cannot reach a “specific agreement” with Israel by November, the conference “will be a failure.”"Yo, Israel. DIAF."
"Nuts."
"That's it. We're outta here!" |
Abbas spoke at a news conference with the visiting European Union foreign policy chief, Javier Solana. “It will be a very intense time and we hope the upcoming period will be constructive and positive toward advancing the peace,” Solana said.| "Speaking for Europe, we are feeling intensely positive towards the upcoming and very constructive shrimp cocktail advancing toward our table." |
In Gaza, meanwhile, Hamas continued to hold nearly 60 Fatah supporters, including 11 children, who were arrested on rioting and incitement charges at a protest on Friday. Fatah has organized public rallies for the last two weeks to denounce Hamas’ takeover. Hamas accuses Fatah supporters of trying to organize a violent comeback. Scores of Fatah supporters were snatched from the streets and their homes following the Friday rally. Hamas has ordered suspects to post bail of $240 — a monthly salary for many Gazans.| Most likely but surely entirely coincidentally the exact amount of money forwarded to each Fatah loyalist by approving Western governments. |
In Ramallah, the PLO’s Executive Committee said the crackdown proves that Hamas aims “to establish a repressive fascist system.” |