Palestinian elections / Abbas on the offensive
Issuing a presidential decree about elections is a necessary political move for Abbas.
By Avi Issacharoff Tags: Palestinian election Gaza Israel news West BankPalestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas stood before the Palestine Liberation Organization Central Committee to explain his decision Friday to declare January 24 as the date for parliamentary and presidential elections. He said this was no political trick, but few people present believed him.
It is hard to imagine elections being held in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem in three months, when Hamas already has announced that this is an illegitimate decision made by an illegitimate president. In other words, Hamas has no intentions of allowing elections to take place in Gaza. Moreover, Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government will oppose holding elections in East Jerusalem, especially if Hamas eventually agrees to participate.
Issuing a presidential decree about elections is a necessary political move for Abbas. Starting on January 25, his term - as it is interpreted by his supporters - is over. According to Hamas, Abbas' term ended this past January. More than paving the way for elections, declaring a date lays the ground for justifying extending his term on the grounds that Hamas is refusing to participate in elections.
The announcement is also meant to pressure Hamas to agree to the Egyptian proposal for reconciliation with Fatah. If there is no agreement by January 24, the Palestinians will perceive Hamas as responsible for foiling attempts at unity, which is a popular goal.
To a great extent, Abbas changed tactics on Friday. He opted not to wait for Hamas to respond to the reconciliation offer, while taking unprecedented criticism, mostly over the PA's initial decision to delay a request for international deliberation of the Goldstone report on alleged war crimes during Operation Cast Lead.
Instead, he opted to go on the offensive and push Hamas into a corner, accusing the Islamist organization of dragging its feet in responding to the Egyptian reconciliation agreement.
Abbas is also declaring that he is now willing to have the Palestinian voters decide who will lead them, but it is Hamas that is hesitating.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
Why is that? Aren't the people out there Israeli citizens? We didn't annexate this part of the country, absorbing thousands of Arabs, for our pleasure!
Fransawi If the French want to enter through the Israeli border, well it is our right to say the border is closed! The French could ask Egypt to enter through their border as well, and it is Egypt right to say yes or no as well! Fransawi as I said before Gaza is occupied by Hamas!
"The answer to who is really occupying Gaza". Gil, to really get the right answer, you should ask yourself who refused to let French FM Kushner visit Gaza?
I think we all remember what happened in the last one and how the world turned its back on democracy in Palestine. I hardly think they will act any differently this time around, so what's in it for the Hamas? I mean if it is reconciliation that the Fatah is after, then this wasn't the way forward. This was just another provocative move to make sure that the Palestinian people stay divided and this is of course what Mahmoud Abbas wants, otherwise he would have handed the Hamas an olive branch instead of beating them over the head with an Israeli olive bat. "Divide et impera"..it is as simple as that. Today was the day when the Hamas was obligated to respond, 25 October, they would like to be assured that if they win the 24:th January elections, the world(and this time Israel included)would honour the results. Abbas only wants to make sure that the Hamas wont participate. We will hear from Cairo later today.
The answer to who is really occupying Gaza Well it is all here in the Article, Hamas
He wants to quit.
well, are you so sure that hamas will win the next elections? I don't see that the all the palestinians love hamas. if they want peace they won't vote hamas.
The problems are two (or three?): his mandate expired last year; Hamas will win by a landslide everywhere, including the WB; There will be no partner for peace Netanyahu will claim; and he will be absolutely correct because you will not have a quisling anymore. You can try bribing the leader of Hamas; and we shall be laughing all the way to Jerusalem? Does Jerusalem close? When does it close?