Hamas Wins Election – Matters Arising

There is no doubt that today the Palestinian people have exercised their legitimate democratic right in favour of Hamas and as such Hamas has today defacto an dejure become the democratically elected government of the Palestinian people. That is the reality and fact on the ground, as it appears to be.

Since 1987 when Hamas was founded by Sheik Ahmed Yacin, its first founder who was assassinated by Israel two years ago, the organization amidst using suicide bombing to wage its terror campaign against "Israel occupation". Nevertheless the people of Palestine loved and admired Humas for many reasons. While the PLO-Fatah was busy enjoying world attention and diplomatic glamour on the international scene. Hamas was busy building hospitals, schools cultural and charity centers and even operating a key bus transport service for the people. Humas represented the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people in a realistic and pragmatic manner – though it uses terror as a legitimate instrument of war.

We as members of the international peace movement are totally opposed to war and violence in all its ramifications. We oppose the shedding of any human blood be it an Israeli or Palestinian blood. Hence we have always called for a resolution of the Middle East conflict within the framework of international legitimacy. It is only a section or rather a military wing of Human known as Izz-el-deen al-Qusam (the Zeal) that are involved in armed violence against Israel. Other than the above, Hamas is known for charity work, social work, bus services, schools and quality project that directly impact peoples life in the Palestinian territory.

Since the death of Arafat, we knew that PLO-Fatah would soon become moribund and today by virtue of the victory by Hamas in this last election; Fatah-PLO is now a spent force having outlived its usefulness. There is no doubt that the Palestinian people are yearning for younger people like Marwan Barghouti who is currently serving term in an Israeli jail.

One of the drawbacks of Hamas is that Hamas has in their Charter, an offence and reprehensible agenda as its primary political objective which is "the destruction of the state of Israel"… We totally reject this sinister agenda on the part of Hamas. We believe and recognize the right of Israel to exist and we equally recognize the right of the Palestinian people to exist as an independent state. There is no doubt that the Palestinian have a legitimate right to self-determination.

In the above context we would advise that Hamas act strategically in this movement and seize the current political initiative, which their victory in this election has suddenly thrust into their hands. Hamas is in a position today to politically wipe away the Fatah faction and the politics of corruption and cronyism, which engender and foister. Hamas has the strategic initiative to wrest power from Fatah faction and Mahmoud Abbas – part of the old legacy of late president Arafat and redraw the political landscape of the Palestinian people and lead them to progressive and pragmatic independence. I wish that I could travel to Damascus tomorrow to convince Khaled Mechal, the leader of Hamas that this is the time to Jehisson and renounce violence, and this is the time to avoid belligerent and hard line posturing. Indeed I will advise the Hamas leadership to expunge from their political charter, "the destruction of Israel" as their primary political objective.

I will remind the Hamas leadership of the pragmatic position which was urged on the Arab league at a Summit in Cairo in 1969 by the political adviser to the late Tunisian president Habib Bourguiba who solemnly urged his Arab brothers to see reality and pursue pragmatism in the overall interest of their people. If Hamas renounces the use of terror, recognizes the existence of the state of Israel and demonstrates a sincere and genuine readiness and willingness to work with the international community towards a negotiated peace deal with Israel, there is no doubt that Hamas with its current popularity and acceptance among the Palestinian people will successfully deliver on achieving a Palestinian state within three years. This is a monumental opportunity, which must not be missed. Unfortunately the Palestinians had never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity. Therefore there is no doubt that Hamas will miss this opportunity.

Considering the facts on the ground, Hamas should not squander their victory in this election. They should try to rally around all the other Palestinian factions into one umbrella like the popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) the Democratic Front for the liberation of Palestine and other factions to participate in a truly national government representing all the sections of the Palestinian people and use their legitimacy to assert their will on a non-corrupt popular government for the betterment of the Palestinian people. All the Palestinian people will cooperate in such a government. As the Hamas becomes the legitimate government of the Palestinian people, the Quartet-International Community must support Hamas to reconstruct the Palestinian socio-economic and political institutions. They must persuade Israel to suspend all combat operations against Palestinians. Israel should genuinely negotiate with Hamas and assist them to rebuild their institutions.

If Israel did work with Palestinians PLO under Arafat and now Mahmoud Abas notwithstanding the PLO antecedent, Israel should not hesitate to work with Hamas – provided Hamas is willing to renounce violence and recognize the right of Israel to exist. Israel herself should remember that their founding fathers equally used violence and terror in their struggle for the establishment of Israel in 1948. All these are past now and let us proceed to work at hand and help the Palestinians achieve their legitimate objection of having an independent Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel. Harakat al Mugawana al-Islamiya (Hamas) is already running the Palestinian society in their social and educational work and as such is capable of forming a government and negotiating a peace deal with Israel.

For much too long the Palestinians have been missing the opportunity to achieve their legitimate historic objective owing to the intransigence of their leaders, and we hope that Hamas would break this jinx and act tactfully and strategically in the overall interest of their people being guided by genuine sense of realism and sincere appreciation of pragmatism. Otherwise it shall remain a great tragedy that the Palestinian will not abandon their fantasy to destroy Israel.

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Clement Chigbo, Barrister at Law, practices as a Registered Associate in the Law Firm of Cassar and Co., Norfolk House, Frederick Street, Nassau, Bahamas. He is the author of a forth-coming book, "The Laws and Regulations of Business and Investments in The Bahamas," and may be contacted at telephone

328-4695 or email:

clemsweiss@hotmail.com.