Hamas and Palestine

If you haven't heard already (it's been hard to miss) Hamas won the Palestinian election. Shock and awe has set in as the political leaders and the media try to figure out how to start anew with a government formed by an organization that US, EU and Israel have been trying very hard to marginalize and destroy. There are a lot of disparaging comments regarding Hamas and this new goverment largely due to the violent zeal of Hamas towards seeing Israel destroyed.

There is a lot of confusion in my mind as to why this is such a big shock? Hamas had strong showing in the pre-election polls. Fatah is extremely corrupt and inefficient! While Fatah hasn't done diddly squat for the people of Palestine Hamas was building schools, hospitals and churches! I strongly disapprove of Hamas' violent ways, but given the choice between Fatah and Hamas I would've voted Hamas too!

Hamas should do a lot of good things for Palestine such as establish law and order and improve the lives of ordinary Palestinians. The downside will most likely be less freedom as they are certain to introduce some religious restrictions on the populace. Considering the disparaging situation that is a good short term trade-off. One can only hope that Hamas will respect the democracy that brought them to power and abstain from setting up an Iranian-style theocracy.