Hamas Fares Well in Palestinian Elections

25/12/2004| IslamWeb

Islamic resistance group Hamas has scored significant successes in Palestinian municipal elections, initial results have shown. An unofficial tally gave Hamas control of seven councils against 11 for the Fatah movement, according to results from 24 of the 26 councils contested on Thursday. Official radio said on Friday evening that Fatah took 60% of seats to 23% for Hamas. The results are certain to send a message of the Islamic group's strength to Mahmud Abbas, the Fatah man who is expected to succeed Yasir Arafat in a 9 January presidential election and then try to restart peace talks with Israel. The municipal election is seen as a test of strength between Fatah and Hamas, as well as a dry run for the organisers of next month's election. **Election boycott*** However, Hamas is boycotting the presidential election because it opposes the Oslo peace process with Israel instigated by senior Fatah members. Electoral commission officials said they would announce full council results on Saturday, although they said turnout was estimated at up to 90%. "The results assure us that Fatah is still in control and we are witnessing a healthy democratic process," said senior Fatah official Jibril al-Rajub. "We also congratulate Hamas." The Islamic group said it had done even better than the figures appeared to indicate, and was waiting for the final results. "[This] indicates that Hamas represents the Palestinian people well, and that the Palestinian people are eager for reforms and an end to an era of corruption," said Hamas spokesman, Mushir al-Masri. **Fatah support*** Hamas opposes Israel's right to exist on stolen land, advocates armed resistance to Israeli occupation and aims to establish an Islamic state in historic Palestine. It also calls for reforms in a Palestinian Authority that many see as corrupt and out of touch. Hamas has won favour for charitable work that has helped to replace crumbling official public services. On the other hand, Mahmud Abbas has urged Palestinian resistance groups to put down their arms, and wants to negotiate a two-state solution with Israel. Since Arafat's death, polls have appeared to show strengthening support for Fatah. One this week gave Fatah a nearly 42% trust rating, from 26% in June. Hamas had slipped to 20% from 22%. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Palestinians carry a dead man after an explosion in a house at the Khan Younis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, December 23, 2004. (REUTERS)