Kesher Talk

Hamas to benefit from elections in Palestine: With Israel occupying West Bank cities and President Bush calling for Yasser Arafat's ouster in new elections, the Palestinian leader is in a battle for survival among the toughest of his tumultuous career. But the leaders of Hamas are in high spirits.

The Islamic fundamentalist movement, which calls for Israel's destruction, is convinced it is making big gains among the public with its suicide attacks and rejection of Mr. Arafat's lingering calls to negotiate.

Analysts say Hamas would get about 20 percent of the votes if national elections were held today, making it the leading opposition force to Arafat's Fatah movement. And with its experience in running local institutions and a reputation among Palestinians as untainted by corruption, it could win municipal elections, says Avraham Sela, a leading Israeli analyst.

The expectation of doing well may explain Hamas's decision not to reject Bush's call for polling, though it denounced the rest of his speech. (Christian Science Monitor)

posted by Howard @ 6/27/2002 10:47:31 AM