Region | Palestinian Territories

Rise of Hamas and fall of Fatah

Contrary to all speculation, the majority of Palestinians voted for the Islamic group Hamas in Wednesday's elections because of their disappointment with Fatah, the competitor.

  • By Jumana Al Tamimi, GCC & Middle East Editor
  • Published: 00:00 January 27, 2006
  • Gulf News

Dubai: Contrary to all speculation, the majority of Palestinians voted for the Islamic group Hamas in Wednesday's elections because of their disappointment with Fatah, the competitor.

Analysts and observers say many Palestinians believe Hamas has stronger anti-corruption credentials than Fatah.

Apart from its popular charity network, Hamas included many politically unknown female candidates on their list, more than any other party, and "gained (many) of the silent votes," said Khalil Assali, Palestinian journalist and writer.

At the same time, Fatah, the traditionally leading Palestinian group, failed because it did not organise campaigns and listed many "cardinals", said noted Palestinian analysts.

Also "Israel voted for Hamas by not allowing Hamas candidates to hold rallies, etc.

"So people voted against Israel and Fatah for Hamas," said Mahdi Abdul Hadi, a Harvard-graduate political analyst.

Abdul Hadi strongly believes that Hamas acquired "legitimacy before the world" due to local concerns.

"The culture of the prison. They are talking about changing the status quo in the prison," he said.

Yet any process needs sharing between Hamas and other parties, he stressed.

Meanwhile, the next move for the Palestinians will be unity, said analysts.

"The concern is to unite the Palestinians. The concern is to have a political consensus behind the political programme to develop their daily life," said Abdul Hadi.

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