Hamas slams Abbas's decision to delay elections

[drdon326]

Citing the need to hold further consultations with various Palestinian factions, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday decided to postpone parliamentary elections indefinitely.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Hamas, whose leaders accused Abbas of violating agreements reached with the Islamic movement and other factions during talks in Cairo earlier this year.

Abbas said the decision was taken in light of the Palestinian Legislative Council's failure to approve a new electoral law.

"The Palestinian Legislative Council still hasn't voted on the new law, therefore we need more time to discuss legal issues and hold consultations (with Palestinian groups)," Abbas said shortly after he issued a "presidential decree" delaying the elections, which were slated for July 17.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1117851562728

......................................................................

Someone remind me.....who's in charge there ?

[Jack Rabbit]

1. I hate to agree with Hamas, but in this case I do

Postponing elections is a serious matter, but sometimes necessary. Postponing elections indefinitely is the act of an autocrat. Postponing elections indefinitely without consulting other parties is just wrong; it's the sort of thing we would expect from Arafat.

Personally, I'd like to see Hamas get the crap kicked out of them, but I know they will do quite well in elections. That's not the issue. The issue is what kind of Palestine are the people trying to create. They'll have to be able to determine that in free and fair elections.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Al Jazeera (Saturday): Abbas postpones Palestinian elections

From al Jazeera
Dated Saturday June 4 11:58 GMT (4:58 am PDT)

Abbas postpones Palestinian elections

In an official announcement, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has postponed the date for legislative elections.

In a public decree on Saturday, Abbas said he decided to postpone the 17 July poll to allow time to resolve a dispute over proposed reforms to the voting law.

He said a new date for the election would be given in a future announcement.

Media reports suggested Abbas decided to delay the upcoming parliamentary elections by several months, a move that will give him additional time to fend off a challenge by the Islamic group Hamas.

Hamas emerged as a formidable rival in local Palestinian elections in recent months, indicating a strong performance in the national vote.

Hamas rejected Abbas's move.

Read more.

[Colorado Blue]

3. I tend to agree with Jack Rabbit and (oh do I have to say it?)

OK, Hamas has a point here.

There.

Whew.

Complicating this issue is Abu Mazzen's health. Supposedly he is ok but his recent surgery was a scare.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. . . . and now for a real caution flag to go up . . .

From the Jerusalem Post article:

Abbas then promised Hamas leaders that parliamentary elections would be held on July 17. In return, Hamas agreed to suspend its terror attacks on Israel and to participate in the elections for the first time since the establishment of the PA in 1994.

This raises the specter that Israeli civilians are hostage to this agreement. That is also just wrong.

[Colorado Blue]

5. That's true also. They've basically threatened as much,

that they might resume terror attacks if Fatah hampers them or tries to change the election dates/rules.

Indeed, at this point, on the eve of withdrawal, that would be utterly tragic, IMO.

[drdon326]

6. CB.....I love you....... but........c'mon......

they claim they will resume terror attacks just about every day.

In fact , they have claimed THEY HAVE NEVER stopped the intafada in the first place.(How many times have they tried to get bombs and suicide attackers into israel ?)


Abbas has sucked-up to hamas so many times he has stretch marks around his mouth.

Abbas should grow some spine.

[Colorado Blue]

7. Yeah but - now Hamas have an Excuse.

I feel for Abbas, he's probably scared to death.*

*(HE'S scared? Oi.)

[drdon326]

8. Like Hamas, who have sworn to destroy israel, needs an EXCUSE?

:shrug:

[drdon326]

9. Gee.......Talk about emotionally conflicted.

For some unknown nauseatingly repulsive reason , I seem to support the spineless holocaust-denying terror-supporting dupe Abbas , as opposed to supporting the genocide-wanting war-crime committing hamas.


:puke: