When one thinks of Hamas, especially in the United States, usually the immediate images of bombed-out buses and nightclubs come to mind. For many Palestinians, however, it is not violence and chaos that dominate their thoughts, but discipline and efficient social programs that deliver desperately needed jobs and food.
It is therefore clear that this latest Palestinian legislative election, the first in almost eight years, was not a referendum on Hamas' use of suicide bombings to fight the Israeli government, but a referendum on Fatah's corruption and inability to govern the Palestinian territories. Palestinians voted for Hamas not because they wanted to send a radical message to the outside world, but because they wanted to get the Palestinian house in order.
With Hamas now in control of the Palestinian legislature, it is important to remember that, although it maintains in its charter references to eliminating Israel as a state and has killed hundreds of civilians through the use of terrorism, its election platform did not mention violence, but rather job creation, increased living standards and the rule of law. Hamas' election campaign was straightforward in message and tone; it promised that if given a chance to be part of the government, life would become better and the Fatah movement would be forced to strengthen the governing institutions of the Palestinian National Authority.
That message greatly resonated with voters as Hamas not only gained a foothold in the Palestinian legislature, but also actually gained full control, giving the party the ability to create a new cabinet and restructure impotent governing institutions.
It is paramount to note here that Hamas has manifested its military might in the many atrocities it has committed against Israel in the past decade. Its attacks have claimed the lives of 377 Israeli citizens and soldiers and injured more than 2,000. Its use of suicide bombings as a means of resistance to Israeli occupation is prohibited under International Law - and more importantly Islam's sacred law. And I believe as a Muslim that it must change its military strategy before it can ever claim to be a truly authentic Muslim movement.
It would seem with Hamas' militancy, the political landscape of the Middle East has been altered for the worse. I don't think this is wholly true, and below are some reasons why. -
the United States and Europe cannot trumpet democratic ideals abroad and then ignore the popular will of the Palestinian voters 78 percent of whom turned out for this election. Refusing to engage with Hamas ... will only further legitimize the party; it could even give rise to violence.
And violence is the last thing anyone wants right now.
- Jordan Robinson is a junior journalism major who studied in Amman, Jordan. Send him an e-mail jr197103@ohiou.edu.
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