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Source: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2005/764/re1.htm
Hamas's Participation in the PA Elections
(Al-Ahram-Egypt) Khaled Amayreh - Participation or otherwise of Hamas in Palestinian legislative elections presents Abbas and the PA with a real dilemma. On the one hand, the exclusion of Hamas would eviscerate the elections of credibility and democratic substance. Palestinians would view the poll as a big joke. On the other hand, Hamas's participation could result in victory for Islamic candidates and drastically change the Palestinian political panorama. Abbas would be forced to adapt politically to a new reality. This would certainly include a hardening in the overall Palestinian posture vis-a-vis Israel. The PA could be forced to reassert more determinedly erstwhile Palestinian constants, especially with regard to the inviolable status of East Jerusalem and the right of millions of Palestinian refugees to return to their former homes in what is now Israel. Ironically, any Israeli interference would only vindicate groups, such as Islamic Jihad, who have long argued it is pointless to organize elections under occupation and that force must free Palestinians first.