Careful what you wish for

January 28th, 2006 | Burrowowl

You might just get it.

Specifically, the United States of America has been looking for a way to democratize the Islamic world, especially in the middle east. One of the primary reasons that is bandied about for our strong support of the Israeli government has been their democratic system of government. Ten years ago the PLO renounced terrorism and held elections for a Palestinian government. To nobody’s surprise, Yassar Arafat was swept into power, and never held another presidential election during his life. Recently, however, the government of his successor, Mahmoud Abbas, has consented to holding parliamentary elections again. Huzzah! Democracy in the Arab World! Multiple parties entered the electoral fray. Joy! Real public debate and a hope for transparency and accountability to the public! A triumph for US foreign policy and a foothold for a lasting peace with Israel!

But Hamas was the opposition party. Hamas is an unabashed supporter of suicide bombings, mortar attacks against settlements, and calls for the eradication of Israel as a state. This doesn’t play well in Israel or most western countries.
We westerners would generally like to think that a general population, given a choice, will decide on a party that favors diplomacy, peace, prosperity, and progress. Well, it turns out that they like prosperity and progress, but dislike the corruption, cronyism, and nepotism of Fatah even more. Contrast this to the American public, which in our recent national election chose to re-elect a government that is demonstrably belligerant, blindly ideological, and reckless regarding the safety of its citizenry. Perhaps we have more in common with the Palestinians than we thought?

The true test of a democracy is when the party in power is called upon by the people to peacefully give up their mantle of authority to their opposition. It appears that Abbas is willing to do this, and this is to be applauded.

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