NationStates Jolt Archive

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Saturday for new presidential and parliamentary elections, a dramatic challenge to ruling Hamas militants that threatens to touch off a civil war.

The Hamas government, which has drawn crushing international sanctions over its militantly anti-Israel stand, accused Abbas’ of carrying out a “coup” against the Palestinian people, who voted the Islamic group into power just 11 months ago. Hamas leaders, including Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar, called on Abbas to resign.

And so on. It seems as well that what Abbas is trying to do may not be exactly legal. Hamas now sees this as a simple power grab, which I can't really disagree with. It seems that the situation isn't going to be getting any better in the near future and I see this as an example that having an election isn't going to make everything peaceful. If anything this move by Abbas is very dangerous and not wise at all.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16235716/

*****Things have really changed since I first posted this, the article has changed dramatically. Hopefully things will settle down. :(

Well, Hamas isn't exactly playing nice either.

I actually clicked on this thread expecting something about ABBA :(

seems like a good idea to me as long as it includes re-election of whatever post abbas holds. now that the implications of a hamas government are well understood by the palestinian people, they should have the opportunity to endorse it or get rid of it.

I actually clicked on this thread expecting something about ABBA :(

Yeah, I thought Benny & Bjorn maybe had gotten involved in politics or something, too.

Yeah, I thought Benny & Bjorn maybe had gotten involved in politics or something, too.

Clearly, you need to read the thread title better. Or remember who Abbas IS. :p

I suspect the Palestinians would have by now learnt a lesson about voting for a group that opposes your chief aid donors.

I fear King: Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia was right when he said the middle east is about to explode. We have a civil war in Iraq; one is about to explode in both Palestine and Lebanon. If the US withdraws from Iraq both Iran and Saudi Arabia are about to step in supporting opposite sides in the civil war. In Iran, there is unrest among the college students and in Saudi; the radicals are ready to step up their activities against the government.

In the mean time, the EU has been unable to make any progress with Iran on the nuclear issue. Russia and France have become obstructionists to any resolution of the many problems in the Middle East. The UN is a joke and both the President of the US and the Prime Minister of the UK are lame duck leaders.

Indeed, the situation in the Middle East looks bleak.

Those people will never stop until they are all gone.

Those people will never stop until they are all gone.

Finally! Someone who realizes how to fix the situation!

The Palastinians are never going to get anything resolved. Ever. Normally I wouldn't care, but unlike the Ireland/British conflict, these guys aren't "keeping it to themselves." A good father is one who die fighting and/or, "Kills evil American Muslim-Haters."

Wiping them off the map would solve many problems.

Finally! Someone who realizes how to fix the situation!

The Palastinians are never going to get anything resolved. Ever. Normally I wouldn't care, but unlike the Ireland/British conflict, these guys aren't "keeping it to themselves." A good father is one who die fighting and/or, "Kills evil American Muslim-Haters."

Wiping them off the map would solve many problems.

So what's poker nights at Ahmadinejads like?

I suspect the Palestinians would have by now learnt a lesson about voting for a group that opposes your chief aid donors.

I see it as simply voters choosing Hamas as they are a change from the old way, perhaps will actually accomplish something unlike Fatah and not just regarding Israel. Simply getting rid of the ineffective and corrupt and bringing people who will (supposively) look out for their own interests.

GAZA - Forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas overran two government ministries on Sunday, sealed off the area around his compound and fought battles with gunmen from the ruling Hamas group as Gaza threatened to spiral into chaos.

The escalating unrest followed Abbas’s call on Saturday for presidential and parliamentary elections, a dramatic move that is an attempt to end nine months of political impasse under Hamas’s Islamist-led government.

Abbas’s 4,000-strong presidential guard, backed by members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a militant group loyal to Abbas’s Fatah movement, took over the Hamas-run Agriculture and Transport ministries as they moved to secure a large swathe of central Gaza City around where Abbas has a home.

Angered by the move, forces loyal to Hamas exchanged fire with presidential guards positioned on rooftops.

And look! The situation seems do be going downhill fast. Click on the origional link.

Amazing. No one really cares about this? I am surprised given the strong feelings many have with the Palestinians. What occurs out of this trouble could easily have more far reaching effects then just in the territories. But maybe I'm wrong about peoples interest. Whatever.

*shrugs*

West: Palestine must have democratic elections!
Palestine: *Elects Hamas*
West: Hey, your not allowed to do that!

America: Ya'll should have elections
Palestine: Kill hte greater SAtan and their Lesser Satan Zionist Nazi Scum infidel girlfriends!
America: So...how are the elections going?
Palestine: bang! bang! budda budda budda BOOM! Kill the Palestinian infidels!
Palestine: No Kill the Palestinian infidels! (pulls out pocket nuke)
Americaq: Elections: a win win process.

Yeah, I thought Benny & Bjorn maybe had gotten involved in politics or something, too.

Moi aussi.

Instead this sucks.