Opinion  Nahum Barnea
End of Hamas democracy
Nahum Barnea
Published: 18.12.06, 21:24
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13 Talkbacks for this article
1. And what is the point of elections?
Steve ,   USA   (12.18.06)
B"H Now that the grand solution is "new elections", what is the point of elections? Did the OSLO accords really grant Syria and Iran the right to have their agent run to ocuppy the territory Israel conquered in its war under pretext of an election? The United States Constitution binds the United States to choose a president who is not a foreign agent, who is domestically born, because of concerns of foreign abandonment of responsibility that are deeply-seated in the concept of the American Revolution. No taxation without representation was a key concept there that those elected must actually represent those living there and are not permitted to be foreign agents. Hamas is an Iranian and Syrian organization. Why is it permitted in these "elections" if its rise to power means that it is simply acting as an administration on behalf of Iran or Syria over the land and its population? The occupation of election seems to be that those electing get to choose which foreign country gets to represent them. If that is the case, why not just put the names of the countries there on the election slate so those voting can choose which foreign entity they have allegiance to? The PA would have the presidency, and then each country would be listed there instead of its terrorist organization. Call a spade a spade. There is no democracy if it is a "democracy" of foreign agents. Or if it is a vote among foreign agents, put all the foreign agents on the slate. Why restrict the opposition just the Iran and Syria by only listing the Hamas organization as the opposition?
2. Democracy isn't defined by elections alone
sandgroper   (12.18.06)
The author completely misunderstands Sharansky. Democracy is not defined by elections alone. There is nothing new in recognising that despots use democratic cloaks to snatch power - Hitler was elected too. The issue is the distinction between "free society" and a "fear society". (No prizes for correctly categorizing the "Palestinian" society.) Elections are meaningless unless conducted by informed, educated voters who have no fear of expressing their political opinion publicly.
3. then oy vavoy lanu if lieberman takes power
RP ,   Israel   (12.18.06)
4. #1
Joe ,   Canada   (12.18.06)
Elections is a word that keeps the democrats and all the rich happy,it is a front for these people and it makes them feel good about what they are doing,behind the scenes what happens does not matter,the favoured fatah govenment will then have to eliminate all hammas who stand as a threat and as long as it is done because of an election makes it ok with these people,don`t get me wrong i have no use for fatah or the regimes who support it but thats the way it is.
5. No logic
Amir ,   New York, NY   (12.19.06)
The author was alowed to talk to Abbass so he decided that Abbass is elected democratically. How low one may go?
6. DUH!!
mayer ,   usa   (12.19.06)
Fareed Zakaria wrote a book in 2003 titled "The future of Freedom: Illiberal democracies". The key is LIBERAL democrcies. 3 wolves and one sheep voting on what's for dinner is also democratic.
7. If under occupation, priority to liberty not democracy
Pro-Hamas ,   Palestine   (12.19.06)
No one nation in histroy was asked to be democratic before the end of its occupation. What should we (Palestinians) do with democracy while our land is occupied and our country is divided into cantons and a seperation fence is unilaterally shaping our borders. What is the benefits of democracy?? Moreover, if an agreement with Hamas seems unlikely, has an agreement with Fateh been likely in the past since september 2000. Answer no, even when Mahmoud abbas was elected by palestinian majority, it has not changed anything. Israeli occupation has lifted a road block here and there and imposed tens elsewhere. The problem of not reaching an agreement is Israel's unwillingliness. Hamas is not the palestinian choice if a little light has been sought at the end of the tunnel and if Fateh corruption was bearable.
8. Democracy means choicing the stooge West want it.
1.5 Billion Muslims   (12.19.06)
Reality Check , World
9. #7-8 Democracy under Occupation
Kyle ,   Southpark, CO, USA   (12.19.06)
Germany, Japan, post WW2.
10. I thought Bush want democtatice ME
1.5 Billion Muslims   (12.19.06)
Reality Check , world
11. Democracy is not only about elections
5 Billion non-Muslim   (12.19.06)
Arabs stop shooting start thinking. Check, check, world? Reality microphone
12. "Getting rid of Hamas"?
Andreas Grefen ,   Remscheid, Germany   (12.20.06)
"Getting rid of Hamas"? This is simply wishful thinking. Hamas is deeply rooted in Palestinian society, and its fierce Jew-hatred is an insoluble part of the Middle east version of Islam and of Palestinian identity.
13. Disqualified Cults
BP DIS   (12.20.06)
Disqualified cults can not run in democratic elections. Bolshevik. National Sozialismus. People's Ploletariat. Hamas. Al Ikhwan. Chabad. No. Few parties are enlightened to do good jobs. Bring back Roosevelt. He was mostly positive. The man of history: Ferenc Deak. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferenc_De%C3%A1k
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