Democracy is when a Palestinian casts a ballot…
Welcome to this week’s Democracy Multiple Choice:
When the majority of the ballots in the ballot box are explicit votes for Hamas, then is it:
a) a new moment and opportunity for discussion, negotiation and mutual co-existence,
as captured in an ad in the Israeli daily Ha’aretz, paid for by Gush Shalom:
With Hamas entering the Palestinian parliament, and perhaps the Palestinian government, there presents itself a historical opportunity to include this movement, with its leaders, members, sympathizers and voters, in the peace process. Any peace agreement so reached will be stronger and more durable.
Every Palestinian group that talks with the Government of Israel does thereby recognize the State of Israel in practice.
b) a mandate for a newly elected administration,
called “[the] most significant suffrage since the Palestinian Authority was established in 1994,” by the al-Ahram (Egypt) weekly;
and, the concept of a mandate that President Bush knows little about.
c) a stunning victory,
for the Palestinian people;
for any proponent of democracy.
d) all of the above.