The New York Times reports that Abbas is putting pressure on Hamas:
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, on Saturday ordered early presidential and parliamentary elections in a direct challenge to the authority of Hamas, the Islamic movement that won elections less than a year ago. But Mr. Abbas did not name a date, leaving room for further negotiations to break the impasse with Hamas and form a unity government instead.
“I have decided to call for early presidential and parliamentary elections,� Mr. Abbas said. “Let’s return to the people to have their say, and let them be the judge.�
Hamas leaders immediately called Mr. Abbas’s declaration illegal and tantamount to a coup, saying that he had no power to call early elections and that the Palestinian people had given them a majority in free and fair elections only 11 months ago.
Mr. Abbas’s declaration, in a speech in the West Bank that brimmed with frustration, was both a challenge to Hamas and a risky effort to break a political stalemate that could backfire.
As the NYT article points out, Abbas’ plan could either escalate the situation or de-esclate it, dependent on Hamas’ reaction. Hamas might get the hint and become pragmatic (I don’t have a lot of faith in that option…), or its leaders could decide that Abbas is challenging them (which he is doing of course) and that now is not the time to compromise (more likely in my opinion).
Mr. Abbas, in a winding 90-minute speech, blamed Hamas for breaking its agreements with him, reneging on its promises and trying to intimidate other Palestinians by using the words of Islam in political debate. He insisted that he had the right to call these elections, though many political experts, even in his own party, believe he only has the right to fire the current prime minister and cabinet. Under the Palestinian basic law, only the legislature can dissolve itself, these experts say.
The question is whether Abbas will do what he says and whether he has the power to do it (well, two questions). His own party – at least – should back him up on this one. If Fatah is divided… we can be quite sure that Hamas will not feel the need to change itself.
If the PA will organize new elections, I hope for the sake of the Palestinian people that they will vote wisely this time.
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