|
Trending Topics
|
Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/17060/palestinians-election-education
Will New Palestinian Elections Strengthen the Radical Camp?
(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - The last Palestinian parliamentary election, held in 2006, resulted in a victory for Hamas. Hamas promised to "make Islamic law [sharia] the main source of legislation in Palestine," and to "use all methods, including armed resistance" against Israel. Hamas does not recognize Israel's right to exist. It remains opposed to the Oslo Accords because it does not believe in any peace process with Israel. Because of these positions, Hamas won 74 of the 132 seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council. Given current anti-Israel sentiments, one wonders whether it is a good idea to proceed with new elections that are certain to strengthen the radical camp among Palestinians even further.