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The Tiny Minority of Extremists has won the Palestinian elections, which in itself is not actually a demonstration that the jihad ideology enjoys broader support among Muslims than most analysts would like to admit, since Fatah itself was not exactly an epitome of opposition to that ideology. As Hugh Fitzgerald pointed out yesterday, this was a choice between the slow jihad against Israel and the faster variety. "Palestinian Premier, Cabinet Resigns," from AP:
RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia and his Cabinet ministers submitted their resignations Thursday as the Islamic militant group Hamas appeared to have captured a large majority of seats in the Palestinian elections — a shocking upset sure to throw Mideast peacemaking into turmoil."This is the choice of the people. It should be respected," Qureia said. "If it's true (the results), then the president should ask Hamas to form a new government. For me, personally, I sent my resignation."
Under the law, Abbas must ask the largest party in the new parliament — presumably Hamas — to form the next government. Abbas was elected separately a year ago and remains president.
Hamas said before the election it does not want to govern alone, and would prefer to bring Fatah into a coalition. Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar said Thursday that the group will declare its intentions after official results are announced later in the day.
The result could have a devastating effect on the peace process with Israel. Mushir al-Masri, a senior Hamas official, said Thursday that recognizing Israel and negotiations with the Jewish state are "not on our agenda."
Israel and the United States have said they would not deal with a Hamas-led Palestinian government. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has said he would step down if he could no longer pursue his peace agenda with Israel.
Posted by Robert at January 26, 2006 6:35 AM
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So, was it such a great idea to promote democracy in the Middle East?
Posted by: Benjamin![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 26, 2006 7:01 AM
The fruits of a mistaken policy. Heads should roll in the Bush administration, starting with Condi. "Go and take that damned Sharansky book with you. Let's see now, where did I put my Kedourie? Call from Bernard Lewis? Tell him I'm busy reading somebody who actually knows something."
(The portrait of TR begins to show a little Mona Lisa smile beneath the mustache.)
Posted by: Rebecca JW at January 26, 2006 7:14 AM
Anglicans for Israel
http://www.anglicansforisrael.com/
An Open Letter to the Palestinian Electoral Commission
Followed by a piece from Front Page magazine by P. David Hornik "Hama rising" Which is much more sinister than Scorpio Rising.
at January 26, 2006 7:25 AM
Well Jimmy, you got your wish. Now what do we do?
Posted by: witness at January 26, 2006 8:38 AM
Benjamin:
As Beth put it rather eloquently, what transpired in the Palestinian elections was not an exercise in democracy.
What will be interesting to see is what does or doesn't emerge from the shadows behind Hamas and how the "blame Israel" jerks will respond if Hamas decides to enact its charter. The claim of many "anti-Zionists" is that they believe Israel has a right to exist within the old 1948 armistice lines and that it's been bad Israel that has derailed efforts for a "just peace" by erecting settlements and passing "discriminatory laws".
Posted by: waterdragon52 at January 26, 2006 8:49 AM
"Palestine" is not a country.
"Palestine" should not be allowed to become a country.
Democracy is not for illiterate, homicidal barbarians.
thank You.
at January 26, 2006 8:53 AM
So far I understand Condi's thinking is that democracy, human rights and wealth belong together are a sort "Iron law".
However, to apply this on Palestina is akin to climbing to the tree ass forward. Islamic cultures simply cannot generate wealth. Due to Islam there can never be human rights in real; of this follows that the Palestinians will always be piss-poor; of these two follow that the "parlament" will be nothing else but corrupt jihad council. Very corrupt indeed, make no mistake; I recall Arafat's "administration" made all thinkable corrupt administrations look good, whether South American, Sicily or wherever.
Posted by: Finn at January 26, 2006 8:55 AM
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." (John Adams)
at January 26, 2006 10:51 AM
I have been convinced. The Light onto Muslim Nations Project is ridiculous. I wish it wasnt so. I really believed it could work. I really thought Sharansky was right. I really thought Hugh and Robert, despite being really smart, were wrong on this, and that most people desire real peace and freedom. Oh well...we all make mistakes. At least now, with the valuable info from this website, I can make a more realistic analysis of the one of the most important issues of our times..thanx jhad watch
Posted by: Dhimmiwatch in Canada at January 26, 2006 3:58 PM
tree hugger- great quote. 100% true.
Posted by: templar at January 26, 2006 4:45 PM
Dhimmiwatch in Canada, I'm with you completely. I believed in the light onto the nations hook line and sinker. Democracy will create stability ect.ect. I can't believe I had such a naive attitude towrads this whole issue. I read Hugh's and Robert's views with initial skepticism, thinking yea they make some good points but they are wrong on the issue of Democracy.
Now I'm just as convinced that not only are/were they correct, but democracy and freedom of information(ie. tv) only speeds up the Islamicization of Islamic societies. Again, the media makes the mistake at looking at Hamas and saying this is a localized issue with roots in corruption in Fatah ect. KInd of like saying you catch Lyme Disease in a particular forest and then say well this disease is localized to this specific area. Boy, that was a politically incorrect comparison, but you get my drift.
After billions poured down the rat hole, after the overthrow of a homicidal maniac, after the protection of minority rights(and woman rights), after over 2000 American dead, who do the Iraqis vote for? Well it wasn't the secular crowd, but the true believers. I'm not completely satisfied at the crowd who claims that the Iranian thug in chief stole the election . . . I think he represents the masses(perhaps not the secular elite). Wonder what Egypt would look like with free and fair elections? Or Saudi Arabia? My point: this is not an isolated issue relating to corruption of one group of arabs who don't empty the trash cans oon time but a wider, Islamic issue. Yes, for the first time, I actually felt a little sorry for the corrupt PA folks. I imagine though they'll land on their feet . . . in Paris or Alexandria, Virginia with a swiss bank account. Even Hanan Ashwari, the brainy Islamicchristian spokeswoman, was a bit out of sorts . . . not looking too happy for her future existance as a secular arab woman from Ramalah. How the worm turns.
Posted by: biorabbi at January 26, 2006 7:19 PM
biorabbi..without the knowledge of Islam's history or its sacred texts the democracy project seemed so feasable, especially when Iraq had its first elections last January, that by most accounts seemed successful. I think also that, in believing in the power of democracy for the Middle East, I was projecting my own feelings of empowerment whenever I go and vote (we just elected a Conservative government up here, thank God). And it just seems so intuitive that people would prefer our way of life if they had the chance. So many Muslims have immigrated here and enjoy our values. Why would they choose tryanny and backwardness? Islam
At school I have Muslim friends that support the democracy project, and I am sure there are Muslims in the Middle East who desire modernity, and I guess I naively assummed that the democracy project would empower people like them, and others would want to follow their lead. Then I learned about Islam, and my skepticism increased, but I was not yet convinced. And now Jihadists have won the support of the majority of the Palestinians..wow..and to think all this time I defended the democracy project, especially against leftists...I am humbled by my sheer stupidity
Posted by: Dhimmiwatch in Canada at January 26, 2006 7:48 PM
There is one good thing about the election: maybe the West will see what arafat did (nothing!!!) for his people.Hording all that foreign aid, drug-smuggling money etc for himself. From the Palestininans point of view I think I can understand, given their indoctrination.
However,,,this seems like democracy gone wrong.
I feel these people are too primitive to handle democracy. They are basically tribal,,,,tent-trash - sorry!
Ignorant and not objective and loving it! They can only blame Israel, the US and the West for all their problems since the Crusades - I say:"get over it"!! Other cultures have tried this and succeeded. The reporting has been abyssmal - they are now blaming Israel and the US for the fatah defeat. How pathetic! How typical!
Could someone please tell me what islamic culture has contributed to the world since the Middle Ages other than terrorism?
I know the west is not perfect,,but I'll take it any day over Sharia law.
Posted by: Gramfan at January 27, 2006 5:18 AM
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