Hamas Declares Victory in Palestinian Election

Glenn Kessler

Byline: Glenn Kessler

Washington Post staff writer Glenn Kessler was online Thursday, Jan. 26, at noon ET to discuss reaction to the outcome of Wednesday's Palestinian elections and what Hamas's leadership could mean for the Middle East peace process.

VIDEO: Hamas Supporters Clash with Fatah Loyalists

The transcript follows.

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washingtonpost.com: Thank you all for joining us today. Washington Post staff writer Glenn Kessler will be filling in for Jerusalem-based correspondent Scott Wilson today.

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Glenn Kessler: Lots of good questions so let's get started.....

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University Park, Md.: How much coverage in the region was given to the disclosure that USAID funds were spent on behalf of Fatah?... and do you think this made a difference in the level of support for Hamas?

If the disclosure is seen as key in the Hams win, and since Hamas is a terrorist organization, wouldn't censorship of that information by the White House be justified as vital to our security in the war on terrorism?

Glenn Kessler: I think the story did get a lot of coverage in the Arab world, but it's probably impossible to say whether or not it was factor in the election results.

The administration made no request that we hold the story, though they were very aware we were working on it.

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Burke, Va.: How big a disaster (real or potential) is this for the U.S.? We push hard for true democracy and get perhaps the worst possible result. Will this affect future efforts for real elections in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait etc?

Glenn Kessler: You probably saw the president's news conference. He seemed to celebrate the fact that people could make a choice and pointedly noted it was a "wake up call" for a leadership that many analysts say have failed the Palestinian people.

The election results will certainly energize Islamic movements in the region. But the president seems to be saying--keep pushing for democracy, no matter what the results. The hope in the administration is that groups like Hamas will give up their armed wings when confronted with the realities of governing.

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Washington, D.C.: Given that Hamas has expressly ruled out dropping their call for the destruction of Israel, could their electoral success be the impetus for completing Israel's security barrier?

Glenn Kessler: That haven't ruled it out but during the election they didn't play it up but instead focused on promoting their effective running of social programs in contrast to Fatah.

This certainly may prompt the Israeli government to say there is no Palestinian partner and thus we will build the wall and walk away.

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Oxford, Miss.: Does Hamas have any proven ability to run the day-to-day functions of a government? How much do you expect the bureaucracy and tedium of it all will dull the sharp edge of this Hamas victory?

Glenn Kessler: Hamas is said to be very effective in Gaza, which was a key to their victory. But I don't think they even expected at this point to be running things. So we will have to see.

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Herndon, Va.: How will the Hamas victory affect the U.S. and other country's financial aid to the Palestinian government?

Glenn Kessler: good question. The US cannot give aid to terrorist groups. But the PA would collapse without international aid; in fact it is already on the edge of collapse. Most US aid didn't directly go to the PA, because Congress was reluctant to allow it even when Fatah was running things. But the Europeans gave a lot of money directly to the PA so they will face a difficult choice.

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McLean, Va.: I am dumbfounded. How did a terrorist group win an election? Democracy is not supposed to elect terrorists it's supposed to elect politicians who will stop terrorism. Was there widespread fraud?

Glenn Kessler: By all accounts, it was a very clean election. Hamas ran a good campaign, and was very well organized. One poll showed that most Hamas voters want peace talks to continue but supported Hamas because they were angry at the incompetence and corruption of Fatah. As a wise sage once said, all politics is local.

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San Jose, Calif.: Well, the dog finally caught the car. The terrorists are in control of the Palestinians -- and I'm sure they're as shocked and confused as the rest of the world. Now what?

For us, the first thing we have to do is cut off all aid. That includes the $80 million we give to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency. No money for Hamas at all. U.S. taxpayer dollars should not be given over to terrorists who WILL use it to kill Americans.

What gutsy American politician will propose cutting funding?

Glenn Kessler: I'm sure we'll see lots of members of Congress declare this by the end of the day.

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Durbin, SA: It would seem to me the logical course of action for a newly elected Palestinian outsider government to follow the lead of our former leader Nelson Mandela. By abandoning the two state solution and renouncing violence, but demanding full voting citizenship in a unified, multiethnic democracy, the Palestinians can have their cake and eat it too. This would give them representation, the eventual right of return, and the moral/political high ground. What Western democracy could argue against the enfranchising of millions of residents and for either a system of apartheid or partitioning and forced migration?

I would think this possibility would be far more worrisome to American geopolitical interests than any wave of suicide bombers.

Glenn Kessler: Posting this comment. I would just note that some analysts say that this is one reason why Sharon started the process of leaving Gaza and West Bank, because he saw the handwriting on the wall and the push for a single state.

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South Huntington, N.Y.: With Hamas resounding defeat of Washington's stooges, how does the Bush administration explain the failure of their grandiose and naive plans for Middle East Democracy? Will the U.S. react as it did in Chile, Iran and Congo and destroy regimes that get democratically elect just because they do not fit with the imperialistic schemes of Washington?

Glenn Kessler: The administration says they won't--witness the president's statements today. But they did try to support the PA--and by extension the ruling Fatah party--with a $2 million campaign that hid signs of US involvement.

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Hampton, Va.: If Yasser Arafat can transform from terrorist to beloved, Nobel Peace Prize-winning world leader, why can't Hamas go from Iranian-funded jihadist killers to peaceful government?

(Just channeling the Berkeley nutjobs here... we all know that's pure fantasy...)

Glenn Kessler: posting this comment

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Arlington, Va.: Does the U.S. really care about real democracy or does it really want puppet regimes? I have not heard any complaints of fraud and/or other voting irregularities so common in U.S. and other elections. With almost 78% of Palestinians voting, these results really reflect the will of the Palestinian People.

On a side note, what better way to affect change in Hamas then to give it real responsibility? In my own study of history, I believe that the Marxist Revolution fell as a viable option once the workers had more then their chains to loose.

Thanks.

Glenn Kessler: here's another comment

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Norfolk, Va.: Hamas is in charge? This scares me more than bird flu. Wait, no, I'm scared of nuclear Iranians. Or is it truce-seeking cave-dwellers named Osama bin Laden?

Anyway, I'm scared.

Yesterday, these guys were terrorists. They strapped bombs on little kiddies and sent them into crowds. Today they're... leaders? Will anyone want to engage in a little shuttle diplomacy with a group that, you know, might just blow up the shuttles?

Glenn Kessler: another comment

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Falls Church, Va.: This may be a radical viewpoint, but is Hamas really a terrorist organization or is it just bunch of people trying to defend their independence from Israel and other nations? Please let us know what you think about that. Thank you very much.

Glenn Kessler: one person's freedom fighter is another person's terrorist.....but Hamas has clearly been involved in terror attacks that have killed many people. they also have an effective social services wing, which complicates matters. (The EU for a long time recognized the political wing.) The administration has argued they can't have both--if they want to push for Palestinian independence, they need to put down their guns.

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Munich, Germany: Within Hamas, is there a clearly defined political wing and a clearly defined armed or terrorist wing (I'm thinking of the Irish conflict here)?

If so, does the political wing aspire to a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, even if the terrorist wing doesn't?

Glenn Kessler: Hamas is committed to the end of Israel, though the political wing did not run on that platform in the elections.

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Washington, D.C.: Don't you think that the continuing expansion of settlements, the wall, and the "unilateral" nature of the disengagement from Gaza - helped to undermine President Abbas and Fatah? In that sense - wasn't choice of alternative leadership fairly predictable?

Glenn Kessler: This is a chicken or egg question. The alternative argument is that Israel and US couldn't or shouldn't do more to help him until he showed he was tough and took on the militant groups. Israelis generally weren't happy that the administration pressed for elections now, since Fatah was still so divided and had not shown it could govern.

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Indianapolis, Ind.: I can't help but think that there is a fine line here in our label "terrorist group." Undoubtedly Hamas has carried out (and some are likely still planning to carry out) atrocious acts that deserve universal condemnation, but there are many who see Hamas as freedom-fighters, not terrorists, and it is those people who elected them.

My hope is that their election will moderate them and eventually bring positive movement towards peace and a resolution with Israel.

Glenn Kessler: posting this comment

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Washington, D.C.: Glenn, I think you should have pointed out to the poster from Durbin that the U.S. has no reason to oppose a one-state solution in the region. That poster is just engaging in anti-American rhetoric.

Glenn Kessler: here's another post

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Baltimore, Md.: The Palestinian election results, coming on the heels of the election of an anti-Semitic hardliner in Iran, seems to me proof that the Iraqi invasion has done incalculable damage to American Middle East interests. Putting 100,000 plus pairs of "Crusader" boots on the ground in Iraq has only ratcheted up Islamic nationalism. Why was the Bush administration so incapable of any sort of realistic forecasting of the consequences of our military action?

Glenn Kessler: posting this comment....the administration takes the long view, and insists that despite tactical setbacks, history will view this period (and their decisions) in a better light. We'll see!

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Washington, D.C.: Do you think the EU will actually stand up to Hamas or will they appease them and grudgingly consider them as much a partner as they did Fatah?

Glenn Kessler: this is the subject of intense discussions now. The US and Israel are pressing the EU on this matter as I write this.

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Rockville, Md.: The people of Palestine have spoken through elections. That's democracy in action. How hypocritical the U.S. and Congress can be if they show the world they really don't want democracy in Palestine because they don't agree with the results?

This in my opinion, will only cause further harm to the U.S. image in the world and will show that the U.S. is a lackey of Israeli interests.

Glenn Kessler: posting this comment

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Prince George's, Md.: Well the obvious question of the hour is just really how attractive is a democracy in the Middle East, considering Hamas has won a majority of the seats in the Palestinian parliament? When will the United States (or more specifically our current administration) learn that it is our policies in the region and the mass exportation of our culture that fuels hatred towards this country. That hatred will exist whether it is through a democratically elected leader or a dictator. In my opinion by removing dictators we are merely placing a band aid on the problem instead of working with the real issues at hand. Don't get me wrong I am all for democracy in the middle east but I don't think encouraging democracies should be the only strategy or even the principle strategy utilized in solving our current problems in the region.

Glenn Kessler: here's another comment

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Anonymous: Don't you believe that not talking to Hamas leaders by the U.S. would be seen as double face policy. From one side the U.S. urged elections, from another it makes reservation and indicates that it may not talk to Hamas.

Glenn Kessler: The administration has been consistent in saying it will not deal with groups it considers terrorist organizations.

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Lexington, Ky.: Let's check the scoreboard:

Iran has restarted their "peaceful" nuclear program to build "peaceful" nuclear fuel, despite the fact that they have ZERO operational nuclear reactors.

Iran funds/arms/supports terrorists, including Hamas.

Hamas now rules the PA.

Anybody think we're winning this game?

Glenn Kessler: here's another comment

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washingtonpost.com: Palestinian Central Elections Commission

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Austin, Tex.: An earlier poster asked a form of this question, but I'll phrase it more bluntly. Pretty much all across the Middle East and North Africa, the people are more Islamist and anti-American than the governments (except maybe Iran and of course Israel).

So if those countries hold free elections, they're going to elect governments we don't like.

What does the administration plan to do about this situation?

Glenn Kessler: The administration's hope is that once such Islamists get into power they moderate their views and become consumed with the process of governing. And, moreover, giving a political voice to such groups will be a release valve that ends the cycle of terrorism by disgruntled and political oppressed people.

That's the operating theory.

Critics of this approach say the terrorism stems from US policies, such as support of Israel and the invasion of Iraq, and that a change in policies, not governments, will reduce terrorism. The administration rejects that view.

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Burke, Va.: Here my question. Israel has said they would NEVER talk with Hamas. This would mean an end to the peace talks. But what IF Hamas were to stop the bombings, and use their new political power instead? Would Israel then work with them? If not, at what point will support start to turn against a stubborn Israel who won't talk with a group because of their past, not because of the present.

Seems far fetched to me that Hamas would be able to control their people even if they wanted to. But I believe Bush's statement is better than what Israel said; will not talk with them as long as they are Terrorists. As soon as they decide to use political means, then we and Israel SHOULD work with them.

Last point, at the end of the day, I think Hamas will ruin this great chance they have to makes a real difference. They have been using bombings for too long to change their ways now. I hope they do, but we will see.

Thanks.

Glenn Kessler: here's another comment

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Jerusalem, Israel: The problem with the one state solution is that no one really wants one - the Palestinians are actually loathe to have a large population of Jews in a single state of Palestine, and in any event the extent to which they could support and successfully allow freedom of religion, among other things, for Jews is really doubtful. Jews also do not want a one-state solution. One might ask Durbin whether black South Africans would feel the same way about a one-state solution were the blacks to be in the minority.

Glenn Kessler: Durbin, what do you think?

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Anonymous: Ariel Sharon was charged with war crimes in Belgium because of his role in the Sabra and Chatila massacre - but that didn't stop Israel from electing him to office a couple of times. Doesn't it seem like a double standard that some people are so outraged by the election of Hamas?

Glenn Kessler: here's a comment

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Buffalo, N.Y.: While we may view Hamas as terrorists, the Palestinians clearly do not. Wasn't George Washington once viewed as a terrorist? By legitimizing Hamas, couldn't this actually benefit the peace process because now they are accountable?

Glenn Kessler: that is what some people in the administration hope will happen

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Washington, D.C.: For all the obsessive Bush-haters who want to use the elections results as yet another excuse to blame the President and/or U.S. foreign policy, it's time to remember that sometimes it's not all about us.

Under the Fatah, Yasser Arafat and Friends stole probably billions and billions of dollars from the Palestinian people that they purported to defend. Given the perpetually poor economy and high unemployment rate for Palestinians, it's bound to cause some resentment among the citizens to see Fatah bigwigs driving about in limousines and putting up families in fancy Paris homes.

Angry Left: in wasting so much time trying to find more and more reasons to blame Bush for all the world's ills, you are forgetting that some other countries don't spend nearly as much time blaming the U.S. as you do.

Glenn Kessler: posting this comment

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Detroit, Mich.: What I would see as worrisome with an apparent victory by Hamas, would be a "deja vu" scenario of what happened with the PLO. That would be international pressure to cause Hamas to renounce terrorism, then international recognition of Hamas, and then negotiations between Israel and Hamas that go nowhere. It took a number of years for the international community to realize that Arafat could not make the leap to make the needed compromises that would lead to a peace and a viable Palestinian state. It is difficult for an individual of an organization whose raison d'etre was revolution with violence to reform into the qualities needed of a statesman.

Glenn Kessler: another comment

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Ithaca, N.Y.: All morning the U.S. media has speculated that the Hamas victory reflects the disgust of Palestinian voter's toward Fatah over its corruption and ineffectualness. While I am sure that Fatah's corruption played some role in the outcome of the election, we have seen in our own election in 2004 that corrupt ineffectual governments do get reelected. I am concerned that the U.S. media interpretation of yesterday's vote conceals the real message that the Palestinian people were sending to the world. Could the real message of yesterday's election be that the Palestinian people are tired of the abuse they have suffered at the hands of the Israeli government, that they are tired of a world that has ignored their plight, and that the only way they can see to deal with the injustice and violence that has been hurled upon them for over five decades is to respond in kind?

Glenn Kessler: I don't think this is the case...the sense I get is this was really based on the failings of Fatah. You know, "time for a change--throw the bums out"

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Tampa, Fla.: As an American taxpayer who thus bankrolls Israel, I have no problem with the U.S. government dealing directly with Hamas. We dealt with Israel when it elected terrorists Begin (of Irgun fame; killed 90+ people when he blew up the King David Hotel), Shamir (Stern gang), and Sharon (executed POWs, like the SS executed American POWs during the Battle of the Bulge; Unit 101 terrorism against innocent Palestinians; bore "personal responsibility" for massacres of 800+ innocent Palestinians at Sabra and Chatilla refugee camps during his invasion of Lebanon according to official Israeli Kahane Report). Hamas has a very long way to go before it even approaches the death tolls of these three Israeli Prime Ministers.

Although the rigidly-enforced political correctness in our country prevents the American public from knowing facts such as these showing Israel in a bad light, the rest of the world--especially the Arab and Muslim world--is quite aware of these historical facts. Our failing to deal with Hamas will just reinforce our standing as biased hypocrites. We should deal directly with Hamas regardless of Israel's objections. If we don't, we will tell the Arab and Muslim world our talk about democracy is mere spin. This will encourage more terrorism against the US. I for one have no desire to die here in my own country for political correctness.

Glenn Kessler: here's an interesting comment...though it is sure to annoy some people.

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Jackson, Miss.: Doesn't Hamas' victory change the stakes of terrorism? If they send suicide bombers to Israel, won't this be seen as an act of war on the part of the Palestinian Authority, giving Israel the right to respond in a more dramatic fashion? If Hamas doesn't renounce violence, things could get very ugly.

Glenn Kessler: yes, that's true. Hamas said today it will maintain the ceasefire.

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Wheaton, Md.: What "Freedom Fighters" call for the total destruction of a country and implied destruction of everyone who ascribes to a certain religion? When the United States fought for independence from Great Britain, we didn't call for their destruction. Is there any way that this outcome can help the peace process at all?

Glenn Kessler: only if it brings a group such as Hamas into the negotiations, thus providing support for a deal that had in the past been missing.

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Toronto, Canada: Do you think Hamas will drop its demand for the destruction of Israel, or will it maintain it's current (repulsive) position?

Glenn Kessler: that's the $64,000 question. No one know right now.

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Tampa, Fla.: Should the election of Hamas in Palestine be an eye opener to what will come in Iraq? Is America going to really have to open its eyes to what Larry Diamond said, supporting a government with anti-American sentiment? Do you think that this is an opportunity for other Arab leaders to tighten up and actually run their countries efficiently? And do you think America will take this opportunity?

Glenn Kessler: it's certainly an eye-opener but at the moment the administration's policy seems unchanged. In region, it's an earthquake; it might cause some Arab leaders to slow the reform process.

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Herndon, Va.: I love the terrorist apologists: "Look, maybe they blew up a few babies in the past, but that was their militant wing! This is their political wing! See -- neatly trimmed beards instead of long unruly beards!"

Hamas = terrorists. Iran didn't give them all those weapons just to march in parades.

Glenn Kessler: here's a comment

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Tyler, Md.: According to the Madrid Accords, in return for territory and the removal of Israeli Military Administration, the Palestinian Authority agreed not to allow organizations to function that call for the destruction of Israel. With Hamas in the elections it is clear that the accords were broken by the Palestinian Authority. How will this effect further accords between Israel and the Palestinian Authority?

Glenn Kessler: Israel will have to face that question. For instance, will they keep sending tax revenues to the PA, an important source of income. Unclear right now.

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Durbin, SA: Following up...

I would think that the unwillingness of the US or Israel to negotiate on with the newly elected Palestinian government would further strengthen the position of a single state solution. A two state solution is not possible without cooperation unless one considers the possibility of partitioning, forced migration, and the sort of "ethnic cleansing" for which Western nations condemned the Serbs. Allowing them to stay as second class citizens would make them little more than the disenfranchised population for which the world condemned the white SA government.

It seems to me that irrespective of the actions of the actors now, this policy push will be inevitable.

Glenn Kessler: here's Durbin's reply

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Maryland: Hamas created a grass roots effort to help people. Fatah lined their own pockets and promoted their friends and family into positions. Both groups consider Israel the enemy and a foreign invader into their land foisted unpin them by the Europeans and supported by Washington. Who would you have voted for had you been Palestinian? What do you expect to happen in the Middle East? Egypt has been telling the U.S. government for some time what would happen with free elections.

Let's just hope the reigns of power changes their more violent impulses.

Glenn Kessler: here's a comment

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Washington, D.C.: Just saw the final results: Hamas 76, Fatah 43. Does this mean Hamas won't even need to form a coalition government?

Glenn Kessler: they have a clear majority. But they might want to draw Fatah in...I don't think they expected this in their wildest dreams.

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Arlington, Va.: Before everybody gets their knickers in a twist over the idea of a terrorist organization running a country I would beg them to take a look at who is in charge in South Africa- the ANC (a terrorist organization), and who is in charge in Northern Ireland, the IRA (another terrorist org) and some protestant paramilitary groups.

Glenn Kessler: here's a comment

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Montgomery County, Md.: The Hamas victory illustrates the weakness of Bush's policies in the Mideast. Democracy doesn't insure a particular result. But in the absence of policies for improving people's daily lives, the democratic process can predictably produce a contrary result, like the Hamas victory.

Too bad for Bush/Cheney that when promoting democracy abroad, they did not transplant Florida and our Supreme Court to Gaza.

Seriously, why has not this administration seriously considered the obvious dynamic in the Arab world? Without other initiatives challenging the status quo and giving people a sense of hope and improvement, simply promoting democracy benefits radical Islamic parties the most. This administration is so blinded by their own narrow world view that time and time again they have proven to be breathtakingly incompetent.

Glenn Kessler: here's a comment

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Centreville, Va.: M-E-L-T-D-O-W-N.

Hamas may have run on largely internal PA issues, but everyone knows their raison d'etre is conquering Israel. The Palestinians have chosen the radical terrorists over the moderate terrorists. Any reason -- any at all -- that we should still be giving them millions of dollars every year?

Glenn Kessler: here's another one

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Newport News, Va.: When does Hillary Clinton head over there to kiss some terrorist's wife? Do you think that picture of her kissing Arafat's wife will come back to haunt her in 2008 when the Middle East is in flames because of these terrorists?

Glenn Kessler: no, I think Arafat's old news

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Albany, N.Y.: How is the phrase "destruction of Israel" different from a one state solution?

Glenn Kessler: destruction of Israel means no Jews..."one state" means Jews and Arabs living together, like blacks and whites in South Africa.

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Buffalo, N.Y.: Could a Palestinian government or Hamas government go to somewhere along the green line or treaty boundary, and just start to put up a security fence to rival Israel's? Why does Israel have the right to do this, or do they have just the might to do this.

Thanks if you can reply.

Glenn Kessler: I don't think they would have the capability, first of all. Also, the fence/wall is in many places inside the green line already--I'm not sure how the PA would push back into Israel.

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Washington, D.C.: The outrage and bewilderment expressed by many here seems at odds with US history. There were many episodes where local and state governments were heavily involved with or supported by the Klan, clearly a terrorist organization. The will of the people determines leaders in a democracy, not "right" and "wrong."

Glenn Kessler: here's a comment

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Arlington, Tex.: I'll tell you what this means for the Middle East Peace Process: THERE IS NO MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS.

How long can Israel tolerate a Hamas-led PA? Won't the next attack be state-sponsored terrorism? Wouldn't Israel be fully justified in invading? Why shouldn't Israel just forcibly move all the Palestinians out and make them Syria's problem?

Glenn Kessler: I don't think Israel will want to invade again...the mood is divorce.

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Washington, D.C.: If Hamas is on their best behavior for six months and mouths some platitudes about peace, they'll win the Nobel prize.

The media have their new darlings.

Glenn Kessler: here's a comment

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Newark, N.J.: I don't know why everyone's crying about Hamas. Hamas WORKS. They've cowed Israel into concessions. The U.N. and weak-kneed Europeans will continue funding them. This is total victory for the Palestinians.

Glenn Kessler: here's another comment

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Washington, D.C.: Can you explain the power structure between the Palestinian presidency and the parliament? Who has the most authority? Is Abbas essentially just a figurehead now?

Glenn Kessler: Abbas still has power but so does the prime minister and the cabinet (the US in fact has pushed for a strong PM to take power away from the presidency when Arafat was in charge.) Abbas has said he will resign if he can't get his programs enacted.

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Glenn Kessler: Thanks for all the great questions and comments. Interesting times we live in...and I have to get back to work now.

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washingtonpost.com: U.S. Funds Enter Fray In Palestinian Elections , (Post, Jan. 22, 2006)

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