• In Common Dreams, Abhinav Aima had this to say: Hamas now joins a history of examples where brutal and prejudicial anti-terror policies have done more to propel the cause of the terrorists than to quell it. The only real way of defeating terrorism is to take away the political agenda of the terrorists – to deny them any reasonable grievance whatsoever – and one clear success in recent years has been the disarming of the IRA, once all the nonsensical British name-calling ceased and the Irish Republicans were invited into the political process as equals, not criminals.

• In a statement from the Israeli peace organization, Gush Shalom, Adam Keller and Uri Avnery write:

The Palestinian people managed to hold fair, democratic elections under international supervision, in spite of the hard conditions of living under a regime of occupation and oppression, and the Israeli military raids which continued until the election day itself.

The parlaiament elected in these elctions, and the cabinet which will get the confidence of the parliament will be the representatives of the Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem - authorized to represent them in any negotiations - just like the Knesset and the government of Israel represent the Israeli people.

The Hamas victory carries both great risk and enormous chance - for both peoples. On the one hand, there is now a read danger of cutting off all conatct and relation between the two sides, leading to chaos and increased bloodshed. On the other habd, there is also a historical chance to achieve peace, a more firm peace of which the Hamas - with its leaders, supporters and voters - will be full partners. The choice which of these possibilities will materialize depends on the decisions taken by the Hamas leadership in the coming days and weeks - but at least as much by the decision taken by the government of Israel.

The State of Israel has conducted negotiations with the PLO long before its Covenant was officially abolished, not did it wait for its abolition before signing an agreement with the PLO and starting implementation on the ground. The very holding of negotiations has rendered the Covenant meaningless. The same is true for the Hamas Covenant: the holding of talks between a Hamas-led government and the State of Israel will constitute mutual recognition - by the Hamas movement of the existence of Israel and by Israel of the Palestinian government also when formed by the Hamas.

• Meanwhile, over at the International Solidarity Movement’s show (which has a pretty keen design):

In the days leading up to the Palestinian election, in East Jerusalem you could be forgiven for not knowing that there was an election going on. You could not find a single poster in the city. There was no information on candidates, who to vote for or how. The Israeli government had banned Palestinians campaigning in the lead up to the election.

The vibe on the streets of Ramallah told a different story. The buses were shrines for various political factions. They were covered in stickers and posters inside and out. Flags and political murals decorated roofs of vehicles. Different buses and taxi’s played different songs supporting various factions Even as the service’s were taking off campaigners would stick more stickers on the windows.

— Harrison Heally
Read the rest at ISM

The interference of the Americans weather by supporting candidates that lacked credibility in the public or by vocally opposing others had a counterproductive effect.

Everyone involved in this conflict and interested in peace has to evaluate the recent period and reconsider their policy and actions.

The Palestinian vote is a protest against the negotiation process, which lasted all these years without managing to open one checkpoint or cancel the British Emergency Laws, which rule since 1945.

Peace is not just an agreement, it is changing the life of people, it is giving our children hope, it is ending the occupation, and it is stopping using double measures from the democratic worlds.

— Noah Salameh
Read the rest at ISM

• On his own website, Palestine policy wonk Mazin Qumsiyeh writes: “On the positive side, and despite these incredible limitations, the Palestinians permitted to vote showed an incredible internal democratic discipline and respect for diversity. All parties with the exception of the tiny and insignificant “Islamic Jihad ” have fielded candidates. Hamas presented a new platform significantly moderated (accepts negotiations with Israel and hence recognizes Israel). A Christian Palestinian candidate is supported by Hamas. The secular Fatah lost much support for two reasons: 1) it was put in the untenable position keeping an occupied population docile while colonization of their land continued, and 2) Fatah included many corrupt leaders who complied to advance their personal interests ahead of the interests of their people. But there are, besides Hamas and Fatah other democratic groups that are likely to garner collectively 30% of the votes.”

So, will the White House recognize this viable, proven Middle East democracy? Apparently, the current U.S. administration is too busy throwing a hissy fit to note its own hypocrisy.