The United States and Europe reacted with both caution and consternation following Hamas’ startling victory in the Palestinian elections. No wonder. Hamas, after all, has called for the destruction of Israel and has been a primary force behind suicide bombings targeting the civilian population of the Jewish state. It has been instrumental in arming militant groups.
Western nations have sponsored and bankrolled the Palestinian Authority, and to see it fall into Hamas’ hands raises difficult questions in the move toward a Palestinian state, and for the peace process with Israel.
The United States and Europe presented a united front Thursday in calling for the radical Islamic group, which they have labeled a terrorist organization, to renounce violence and recognize Israel’s right to exist. In forming the new government in Ramallah, Hamas is taking over from Yasser Arafat’s Fatah faction, which has controlled Palestinian politics for decades. Corruption, instability and bureaucratic failures, along with sputtering economics, seemed to doom Fatah in its duel with Hamas.
This is one of those “be careful what you wish for” moments in world affairs. The United States pushed for early Palestinian elections as a way to advance democratic government in the Middle East. Hamas won 76 seats in the 132-member parliament and the right to form the next government. Fatah won just 43 seats. International observers, led by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, said the elections were “well-administered.”
President Bush took his medicine yesterday, saying the elections “remind us of the power of democracy.” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice encouraged Hamas to turn over a new leaf, saying, “You cannot have one foot in politics and another in terror.”
So what’s next?
Bush immediately called on Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who was elected president a year ago, to remain in office and for Hamas to moderate its enmity toward Israel. “If your platform is the destruction of Israel, it means you’re not a partner in peace, and we’re interested in peace,” Bush said.
Abbas said he would serve only if he could pursue his peace agenda, which the new Hamas-dominated cabinet and legislature would have to approve. We hope Hamas will see the value of working with Abbas as a practical step toward improving conditions for the Palestinian public and showing a moderating face to world diplomats.
Looming large is the matter of funding. Last year, the European Union pledged $330 million to the Palestinians, and U.S. economic aid has averaged about $85 million per year since 1993. President Bush requested $150 million in fiscal year 2006 and an additional $200 million in fiscal year 2005 supplemental aid.
Western countries can’t and shouldn’t subsidize any threat to destabilize the region, and at least one senior European lawmaker, Elmar Brok of Germany, warned of a possible cutoff if Hamas doesn’t change its policies. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair said, “We can only do business with people who renounce terrorism.”
Hamas’ victory comes at a time of political uncertainty in Israel, where Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is comatose in a hospital with elections coming up in March. Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel won’t negotiate with a Palestinian government that includes Hamas members, tough talk and an invitation, all at once.
There were faint signs of pragmatism. Mahmoud Zahar, a top Hamas official, said the group would extend its year-old truce if Israel reciprocates. “If not, then I think we will have no option but to protect our people and our land,” he told Associated Press Television News.
While Mushir al-Masri, a Hamas candidate who won election in the northern Gaza Strip, said peace talks and recognition of Israel are “not on our agenda,” others suggested the group is ready for a partnership – presumably with Abbas.
Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, sought to reassure the world of its intentions, sending this message out on international – including Israeli – airwaves: “Don’t be afraid.” The hope, of course, is that holding formal office with responsibilities to govern will lead Hamas to moderate its positions, if only to cash in on Western aid.
“To me there is a big difference between a romantic revolutionary style and an official group of elected people who are facing the challenges and limits of power once in office,” said Hamdi Shaqqura, head of the Democratic development unit at the Palestinian Center for Human Rights. “I expect Hamas in general to be adopting more and more approaches toward the institution building.”
Questions about Palestine’s new government have only just begun. A search for answers will begin when the U.S., European Union, Russia and the U.N. meet in London on Monday.
