Hamas takes over Palestinian parliament

[ProSense]

Bush, Rice and company pushed for the elections probably so they could use it as a case study for Iraq. The "Oops!" foreign policy.

Hamas takes over Palestinian parliament

By Wafa Amr
1 hour, 11 minutes ago

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) - Islamist group Hamas took over as the dominant party in the Palestinian parliament on Saturday and swiftly rejected President Mahmoud Abbas's call to pursue his peacemaking efforts with Israel.

more…

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060218/ts_nm/mideast_dc_30

Bush, Rice Say Palestinian Elections Show "Power of Democracy"

Say HAMAS platform and armed wing prevent its being a peace partner

Palestinian women cast their ballots, January 25. (© AP/WWP)

By Stephen Kaufman
Washington File White House Correspondent

Washington -- President Bush said the results of the January 25 Palestinian parliamentary elections present a "wake-up call" to the incumbent Fatah party leadership, reflecting voter dissatisfaction and a desire for change. However, he said HAMAS, which appears set to assume a clear majority in the 132-seat legislature, cannot be a "partner in peace" if its platform calls for the destruction of Israel.

The parliamentary elections mark the first time HAMAS has participated in national elections. Previously, the party has only fielded candidates in municipal elections. If preliminary indications are confirmed, HAMAS is set to end Fatah’s domination of the legislature, which it has enjoyed since the previous parliamentary elections in 1996.

Speaking January 26 at a White House press conference, President Bush noted the high voter turnout and said the results "remind me about the power of democracy."

"Obviously, people, were not happy with the status quo. The people are demanding honest government. The people want services. They want to be able to raise their children in an environment in which they can get a decent education, and they can find health care. And so the elections should open the eyes of the old guard there in the Palestinian territories," he said.


http://usinfo.state.gov/dhr/Archive/2006/Jan/27-23043.html

Is he saying Hamas is going to deliver these things?

Bush hopes Palestinian election goes forward

January 3, 2006

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush wants Palestinian elections to go forward as scheduled this month with no delay and thinks Palestinians should be allowed to vote in East Jerusalem, a White House official said on Tuesday.

Bush is hoping the January 25 vote will mark a step forward in his vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace.

Snip…

"It's our desire to see the elections go forward as scheduled," said a White House spokesman.

Snip…

"We believe that people must have access to the ballot," the White House spokesman said. "Arrangements have been made in the past to ensure that those persons can vote and we believe some arrangements should be possible at this time."


http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/01/03/bush_hopes_palestinian_election_goes_forward/

Snip…

Because Hamas, a radical Islamic group that does not recognize Israel's right to exist, is taking part in the Palestinian elections, Israel initially said it would bar Palestinians in East Jerusalem from voting. Since then, Israel has backpedaled somewhat, but has not affirmed that residents in East Jerusalem will be allowed to participate.

Mr. Abbas is under considerable pressure from within his riven Fatah movement, the main Palestinian faction, to cancel or postpone the vote because Hamas, running for the first time, is expected to win some 40 percent of the seats.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/03/international/middleeast/03mideast.html?ex=1293944400&en=46bef81e58642cee&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

[Kagemusha]

1. Not the DU poster's fault but what a sloppy headline...

Hamas swore in a cabinet. It did not send gunmen to take the parliament building hostage. The two should really, REALLY not be conflated.

[ProSense]

2. Typical Bush/GOP shill from MSM. n/t