From IrelandOnline, “Hamas heads for important local election wins”
The militant Hamas group won municipal elections in the West Bank town of Qalqiliya and appeared headed for victory in two key Gaza Strip towns, poll results showed today, giving the Islamists new momentum ahead of parliamentary elections this summer.
Hamas and the ruling Fatah movement, tainted by corruption allegations, competed in 84 communities on Thursday. Preliminary results released today indicated Fatah won 52 of the races and Hamas won 30.
However, Hamas” victory in the three largest races — Qalqiliya in the West Bank and Rafah and Beit Lahiya in Gaza — is a significant achievement for the group that has carried out dozens of suicide bombings in Israel. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has been seeking to persuade Hamas to give up violence and join politics, but Israel insists the group must be crushed…
Final official results are expected on Sunday.
The elections are difficult to interpret, because tribal rivalries and local matters counted at least as much as party affiliations. The most important test comes on July 17, when Palestinians vote for a new parliament after 11 years – and Hamas fields candidates for the first time…