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Source: http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/5380/palestinians-want-democracy
Palestinians: We Want Democratic Elections, Too
(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - As Israelis prepare to head to the polls on March 17, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza watch with envy as voters in Israel practice their right to elect new representatives. The average age of the PLO leadership is 75. The same faces have been in control of Hamas for the past two decades. The last time the Palestinians went to the polls was in January 2006, when they voted for a new parliament. The vote resulted in a victory for the Hamas-affiliated Change and Reform list. The truth is that neither Fatah nor Hamas is interested in holding new parliamentary and presidential elections. Fatah leaders say that it would be impossible to hold new elections while Hamas remains in control of Gaza. Hamas leaders say there can be no free elections while PA security forces continue to arrest dozens of Hamas supporters in the West Bank every week. "We really envy the Israelis," remarked a veteran Palestinian journalist from Ramallah. "Our leaders don't want elections. They want to remain in office forever."