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Saturday, January 28, 2006
Libre: Change in Israel
By Mel Libre
Seriously Now
The parliamentary election in Palestine took a surprise turn with the militant group Hamas gaining 76 seats in the 132-seat legislature. The ruling party, Fatah, took 43 seats, while smaller parties shared the rest.
Hamas’ victory was probably not because of its popularity among the 1.6 million voters; rather, it was because Fatah failed to deliver peace and freedom since the setting up of the Palestinian Authority.
The Palestinian people were made to choose between two devils, one proven to be corrupt and inept, the other bold and uncompromising.
While Fatah leader Yasser Arafat became a legend as a “terrorist” (for critics) and as a “freedom fighter” (for fanatics), he proved to be mediocre as peacetime leader of the fledgling Palestinian Authority.
Arafat failed to transcend the safe houses and battlefronts where he thrived most of his life.
But the rest of the world still hope that those who fought with him under Fatah, which negotiated the creation of the Palestinian Authority, would learn from his mistakes and move forward in the effort to establish a Palestinian state.
The European Union and the United States have poured some of its resources to the Palestinian Authority for it to be able to establish fully a Palestinian state, but these seem to have gone for naught, what with corruption among those in power and the peace talks with Israel stalled since 2000.
In the weeks leading to the election, the US backed Fatah by contributing a substantial amount to the latter’s campaign funds, but it came too late, or maybe the open support fanned resentment among the electorate.
While no one will question the outcome of the democratic exercise (what with 900 foreign observers, including former US president Jimmy Carter, putting their stamp of approval on the orderliness of the process), already the pronouncements of most First World leaders are one of cautious support, if not downright condemnation.
And who would not be concerned when Hamas has for its goal the destruction of Israel and has admitted conducting 60 suicide bombings over a period of six years? With its strong links with Syria and Iran, who have resentment with the West, Hamas could lead Palestinian people to isolation, if not outright war with Israel.
But the victory may be seen in another light. Having established itself as a legitimate party in a democratic election, Hamas can transform itself into a dominant force in the attainment of peace with Israel by abandoning its violent stance and choosing the “constructive” option of recognizing the right of Israel to exist, cleaning up the graft-ridden government and directing foreign donations toward genuine development of the Palestinian territory.
Since the creation of the state of Israel more than 50 years ago, the Middle East has never been at peace--–and it would be horrific if Hamas leaders take their victory as a license to pursue terroristic and barbaric acts against that country. God forbid.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 28, 2006 issue)
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