Hamas has successfully assumed control of the Palestinian parliament but it seems just the beginning of a bumpy road ahead. Rasha Saad writes The smooth inauguration of a Hamas-led parliament earlier this week was hailed by pundits as another remarkable democratic achievement. Labelling it "a distinguished political performance" the Jordanian Addostur newspaper wrote in its editorial that the gathering of the Palestinian parliament had proved the strong will and perseverance of Palestinians in the face of the shameful measures which the Israeli government undertook to hinder constitutional procedures when it prevented MPs from the West Bank from joining their fellow MPs in Gaza for the swearing-in ceremony. As part of Palestinian perseverance, the editorial pointed out, Palestinians MPs were linked by a TV circuit. The editorial blames "Israel and the US administration [who] do not want to acknowledge such a distinguished political performance which shows the desire and will of the Palestinians to establish a civilised state that is willing to live side by side with the Israeli state which [Palestinian President Mahmoud] Abbas was keen to label as 'the neighbour.'" The impact of the Israeli decision to cut off millions of dollars of vital funds to the Palestinian Authority, branding it a "terrorist authority," was also highlighted in the press. A day after the inauguration of the Hamas-led parliament, Israel halted its monthly transfers of about $50 million in tax money it collects for the Palestinians. The cash-strapped Palestinian Authority relies on the tax money to help pay the salaries of hundred thousands of government employees. Their is fear the Israeli move will result in the layoff of tens of thousands of workers. "Instead of encouraging Hamas to play an active role in political activities, Israel is pushing it towards desperation, rage and violence to keep its one and only role as the unjust and blind occupation power which takes pleasure in killing, torturing, starving and intimidating the Palestinians," Addostour concluded. The Saudi newspaper Al-Watan also hailed, "Contrary to what both Israel and the US were hoping, the presidency of the legislative council was transferred to Hamas without a battle between those who have been at the head of political Palestinian activity for decades [Fatah], and the movement which used weapons and resistance as the only way to liberate Palestine." However, the editorial pointed out that the smoothness which lies on the surface does not hide disputes. On the surface, the editorial explained, the new leaders of the legislative branch raised themselves to the level of responsibility in the transition of power, however, in substance there were serious differences between the two movements and the course they have chartered especially given that both sides hold contradictory ideologies that caused armed clashes more than once. Thus the editorial anticipated that "clashes between both sides are inevitable during the next few days." In the Palestinian daily Al-Ayam, Riad Al-Malki sees international pressure increasing each day on the Palestinians as "international punishment for the best democratic experiment which the region has witnessed throughout the last decade." Al-Malki added that Palestinians believed that following their "resounding democratic success they will hear drums of joy. Instead we only heard the drums of war." Al-Malki blames Hamas for the many statements which their victorious leaders offered to the media which effectively did more harm to the movement than good. "There was an impulsive enthusiasm of the victorious [Hamas] without defining a ceiling for such statements or calculating their direct and indirect consequences on the newly-born experience of the movement." In the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat, Ahmed Al-Rabei discouraged Fatah's participation in the new Palestinian government. He urged Hamas to take full responsibility for the upcoming stage. "We want to a see a Palestinian government of Hamas that will bear the historical responsibility of negotiating with Israel. We want to see Hamas shift from an opposition movement and one critical of other parties -- as it is a movement that will negotiate with Israel and defend the interests of the Palestinians via political channels -- to a viable movement that believes in the peace process and tackles the conflict with Israeli through negotiations and implementing Palestinian-Israeli agreements." According to Al-Rabei, for Hamas to bear this great responsibility in administrating the new Palestinian government, this would surely reduce extremism, nihilistic proposals and rejection. If Hamas were to succeed in its difficult mission, its members would become policy-makers rather than supporters of a nation. Furthermore, the greatest ideological and political shift in the interest of the Palestinians would have been achieved. Al-Rabei also explains that this does not mean that Fatah should idly stand by and watch; rather it should do the opposite. Al-Rabei believes it is important that the Fatah movement assist Hamas so that it may succeed in its test. It is also important, according to Al-Rabei, that Arab countries help Hamas and it is even more important to persuade the international community not to punish the Palestinian people for the movement's success by freezing financial aid and the support given to the Palestinians. "Respecting the choice of the Palestinians entails the support of Hamas and assisting the movement in tackling the conflict with Israel in its current position of power."
