(TIME) Jamil Hamad - Dealing with Israel - in either sense of that term - is not a priority for Hamas, right now, nor will it be for some time to come. Instead, the radical Islamist group will focus on "cleaning the Palestinian house." What this means, concretely, is ridding the PA of rampant corruption, and establishing law and order on the chaotic streets of the West Bank and Gaza. Ironically, that means that a Hamas government may end up carrying out reforms in the PA long demanded by the U.S. and Israel - ensuring accountability and transparency in government, and reining in the militias. The election victory has added new incentive for Hamas to maintain its current cease-fire with Israel because it is now determined to carry out its promises to the Palestinian electorate which are very much based on local concerns.
2006-01-27 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive