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Palestinian Arabs

Sharon gets serious about Hamas election bid


By Jerusalem Newswire Editorial Staff
September 18, 2005

The Israeli government appeared at the weekend to be taking a more determined stand against the participation by Hamas in next January's Palestinian Authority parliamentary election.

The Bush administration, however, believes that if the Palestinian Arabs want Hamas to run then the group should be allowed to do so.

Hamas, a Muslim Arab organization fanatically devoted to Israel?s destruction, enjoys widespread support among the Palestinian Arabs.

Should it run in the poll, the group is expected to make a strong showing, giving it considerable diplomatic influence in the ongoing ?peace? process with Israel.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told reporters in New York Saturday Israel does not intend to facilitate that election if Hamas does not first disarm and renounce its desire to annihilate his people.

?I don't think they can hold elections without our assistance, and we will make all possible efforts not to aid them if Hamas participates,? Sharon said, threatening to leave roadblocks in place throughout Judea and Samaria, making it nearly impossible for voters to reach polling stations.

Chief PA negotiator Saeb Erekat blasted Israel's interference in what he called an ?internal? Arab matter.

?I urge the Israelis to stay out of our elections and our internal affairs, and not to put their noses in this,? Erekat was quoted as saying by Ha'aretz.

On Saturday, the Bush Administration reportedly expressed its displeasure with Sharon's stated intention of pro-actively preventing the election of terrorists.

Earlier, a spokesman for the US National Security Council said the decision as to who can participate in the elections ?is obviously up to the Palestinian Authority.?

Israelis would argue that Hamas' participation in elections is very much their business, as the group continues efforts to mass murder Jewish men, women and children at every opportunity.

Additionally, the PA's allowing Hamas candidates to run for public office is a flagrant violation of its signed agreements with Israel.

Israel's Interim Agreement with the Palestinian Authority (or ?Oslo II?) forbids the ?nomination of any candidates, parties or coalitions? that ?commit or advocate racism? or ?pursue the implementation of their aims by unlawful or non-democratic means.? (Annex II, Article II)

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