The Palestinian elections are over and the world is shocked by the result. Hamas has defeated Fatah rather handily and now will control a majority of the Palestinian parliament. What's shocking is that anyone should be shocked by the outcome. Forgetting terrrorism and other external issues for a moment, there is one basic reason why Hamas has won.
All politics is local and on the local level Hamas has long been reported to be both honest and efficient in the delivery of constituent services in the areas in which they have had control. Conversely, the corruption in the ranks of the Fatah and Palestinian Authority run by the late Yasir Arafat was commonly known for its unrestrained greed. So given the opportunity to pick one over the other in a democratic process, the Palestinians opted for a cleaner delivery of municipal government.
Hamas' victory is a lot like the dog who chases the automobile. What does he do with it if he catches it? The capitals of Europe, and the United States and Israel have pretty much rung in with the same tone. In order for Hamas to deal effectively for the Palestinians they will have to renounce violence. This produces the real dilemma for Palestinian militants. While on the outside criticizing and disrupting and commiting murder they had no responsibility for results.
Now that they are the party in power, progress will fall directly on to their shoulders.
It will be interesting to see how this new political order evolves not only in Palestine but in other Middle Eastern countries as well. As the democratization of these countries progresses will responsible leadership emerge that recognizes that the political reality of that leadership requires the give and take of diplomacy and concession in order to achieve ones goals? Or will they attempt to maintain armed resistance and threats of destruction.
The ink is barely dry on the results and Hamas is learning a very quick lesson. The global power structure that they have to deal with is already laying terms and conditions in which they will be invited to the table as the legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people to sort out the issues of statehood and economic aid etc. If Hamas does not conform to these conditions and subsequently is unsuccessful in making progress for its people then they are subject to the very same fate that Fatah just suffered. They may be voted out of office. Let's see how long it takes them to turn from terrorists to politicians.
