Fallacious, treacherous and perfidious seem all talks of the US and the West about democracy when one notices their reaction on the success of Hamas in Palestinian elections. All principles of democracy, equality and egalitarianism go down the drain when the winning party is not of their choice.

Earlier in 1992 in Algeria, when Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) was gaining electoral majority and had already wont the first round of elections, the secular military of the country, in connivance with France and other Western capitals, showed total disregard to their own avowed principles on democracy and fair-play, cancelled the elections and imposed dictatorship over the country; In Palestine, Israel and the US showed total disregard to Palestinian vote by misbehaving with Yasser Arafat and refusing to deal with him.

Presently, Hamas has won 76 of the 132 seats in the assembly and it is sure to form the government, whereas, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, under whom Fatah could get only 43 seats, has already resigned and made way for Hamas to form new government. However, the Western capitals under the diabolical influence of Zionist-Christiaan fanatic lobbies are already decrying Hamas’s success in Polls and are refusing to respect people’s verdict.

After listening to the news of Hamas’ success while talking to BBC,
Rennan Gissin, spokesman of Israeli Prime Minister said, “Isreal will not deal with any government which has any relation with Hamas or that is formed by Hamas.” Elaborating further he said, “We want a two-nation solution with reasonable people and don’t want to form another extremist, terrorist State in the Middle Easter like Iran.”

The next day on 26th Jan. Israel’s interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert,  after a three-hour emergency meeting, said that Israel would not negotiate  with a Palestinian Government including Hamas.

In such eventuality, he said, “Israel will not conduct any negotiation with a Palestinian government…” Israel’s Foreign Minister, Tsipi Livni, appealed to the EU — the biggest financial donors to the authority — to firmly  oppose the creation of a government that included Hamas that according  to hims was a “terrorist organization.”

The Middle East “Quartet” - the US, UN, EU and Russia – complied immediately and issued a statement later on the same day, and called on Hamas to renounce violence and accept Israel’s right to exist. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair  spearheading the demand said, “I think it is important for Hamas to understand that there comes a point and the point is now... where they have to decide between a path of democracy or a path of
violence”.

The US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is meeting UN, European  and Russian leaders this weak to evaluate the result and decide how to proceed with peace efforts. The success of Hamas has thrown the most Western capitals overboard, which is quite surprising and uncomely to the eastern mind. There are certain dimensions of the scenario, which need our attention.

Firstly, they seem to ignore the fact that Hamas has come to her present position to form Government through popular vote and democratic means much avowed and cherished by the West. By their own standard Hamas has gained legitimacy to be the voice of Palestinians and do business on their behalf. If Hamas is considered terrorist organization then the judgement of millions of those who have voted for them is insulted and by implications, they too are considered an accomplice to a terrorist organization.

What kind of Middle East do we perceive in future if we continue with this line of argument and refuse to listen to people’s voice made loud and clear through democratic means. Do not forget freedom fighter and hero  of a nation may be considered a criminal or a terrorist by enemy nation.

Secondly, the US currently under the influence of pro-Israel lobbies and a President who is ultra conservative with total disregard to human rights and institutions in the name of national interest, who is branding every second organization in the lands of Islam as terrorist organization, is certainly to fall in line with Israel to burry the already dead road-map. Hence, cer tain Western capitals are already demanding of Hamas to renounce armed struggle for freedom.

It is nothing more then a ruse to linger on with their hold on Palestine. Similar line was taken up with Yasser Arafat: first they demanded of him  to renounce military struggle which he did; then a farce of peace  negotiations was continued for some years; and finally he was ditched as  non-party and all negotiations were put on hold until he died pitilessly in  France. Israel got a breather of almost ten years whereas the life of Palestinians went bad to worse. Unbearable cynicism in the wake of  dashed hopes is too much for any soul.

The West still wonders what kinds of people can blow themselves up  so  luxuriously: when life is made too harsh to live then peace is found in death. We can prevent suicide bombers by making life cherishable tothese young people by giving them hope, liberty, self-respect, dignity of labour, and a real sense of freedom: freedom from coercion, exploi tation and oppression.

The US, the West and Israel must realize that until that time the Middle East will continue to bleed to the horror and dismay of thinking souls of  the world regardless whether Hamas or Fatah is in power in Palestinian areas. 

Thirdly, an acknowledgement is due to Hamas as it has come of age: it has already grown from a freedom fighting movement to social service organization having political ambitions. Hamas is running many schools, hospitals and large number of other social service institutions that take care of widows and orphans and bring help to the destitute and needy people who are in plenty.

The success of Hamas should not be considered as anti-Israel expression of Palestinians; rather it should be recognized as a judgement of people who wanted a change from the old political system with a hope that at new change might bring peace, prosperity and stability to the region: Hamas might succeed where Fatah has failed. The change is positive and constructive and should be taken in good faith.

The demands of Israel, the US and other Western Capitals for Hamas to renounce military resistance to occupation are quite premature and shouldbe put on hold and peace should be given a chance.

The success of Hamas has brought into light Palestinian’s seriousness to bring peace and stability to region: they expect Hamas to deliver where Fatah had failed. Israel has to come forward and start dealing with new Government regardless of which party has been returned by the Palestinians. It must respect the voice of people and show to the world that it cared for peace in the Middle East.

Information

Presently, Hamas has won 76 of the 132 seats in the assembly and it is sure to form the government, whereas, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, under whom Fatah could get only 43 seats, has already resigned and made way for Hamas to form new government. However, the Western  capitals under the diabolical influence of Zionist-Christiaan fanatic lobbies are already decrying Hamas’s success in Polls and are refusing to respect people’s verdict.

First appeared in Pakistan Observer on February 01, 2006