For the past 18 years, Hamas has been known throughout the world as a terrorist organization single-mindedly seeking the absolute destruction of Israel. In January 2006, the Palestinian people overwhelmingly elected Hamas into the Parliament, giving them 76 of 132 seats. Does this mean that Palestinians want to see Israel wiped off the map, and that as the majority government, Hamas will have the power to do so? Should those of us still hoping for peace in the Middle East throw up our arms and walk away? Optimists should take heart; a closer look at Palestinian history and Hamas’ recent victory reveals some signs of hope.

Before last week, the state of Palestine was controlled by the Fatah party, including President Mahmoud Abbas. The recent vote to cast them out can be seen not only as support for Hamas, but as an objection to Fatah. Many Palestinians have been growing increasingly unhappy with the current domestic situation. Fatah has been riddled with corruption and careless attitudes towards the order and control of their society. Hamas, on the other hand, has been free of that sort of dishonesty and abuse of power, and has shown a great emphasis on community service. Hamas’ campaign focused mainly on domestic issues, and highlighted the greater stability they would bring. Exit polls show that almost half of voters cited worries of corruption and lawlessness as their primary concern. From this, it would seem that Palestinian people were less focused on the destruction of Israel, and more concerned with removing a dishonest and irresponsible government from power.

In order to maintain a working government and to successfully care for the Palestinian people, Hamas must have a stable relationship with the world. The US, the EU, the UN and Russia have all made it clear that they will not negotiate with Hamas if it maintains its original mission – “to remove Israel from the map.” If Hamas does not temper its views, it may be left out of the international dialogue, and potentially lose valuable financial support.

There are several reasons to believe that Hamas will join the world table. Although their mission does call for the destruction of Israel, they haven’t carried out a suicide bombing there since August 2004. There are many leaders in the party who have voiced moderate views, including the desire for peaceful negotiations with Israel. The majority of both Palestinian and Israeli people now support a two-state solution, and are eager to negotiate lasting borders. And, there is a historical precedent in Palestine of a radical, terrorist party gaining political dominance and dropping their extremist stance.

Fatah entered the scene in the late 1950’s as an armed and dangerous fringe movement intent on the destruction of Israel. Their official emblem still carries the message, depicting two fists holding rifles and a hand grenade over a map of modern day Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza strip. In 1969, Fatah and Yasser Arafat had become the leaders of the Palestinian movement. In that same year, they carried out 2,432 guerrilla attacks on Israel. However, by the early 1990’s, Arafat and Fatah had significantly departed from these violent beginnings. In 1993, Arafat agreed to sign the Oslo Agreement, which recognized the right of Israel to exist and renounced terrorism, violence and its desire for the destruction of Israel.

Will Hamas follow suit, and join the world for reasonable negotiations and discussion?

The world waits.

Originally published by InternationalistMag.com on February 2, 2006