Hamas captures landslide parliamentary win
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-27 06:07

Before the election, Hamas had suggested it would be content as a junior partner in the next government, thus avoiding a decision on its relationship with Israel.

Throughout the campaign, leaders sent mixed signals, hinting they could be open to some sort of accommodation with Israel. Its apparent victory will now force it to take a clearer position on key issues, including whether to abandon its violent ideology.

Hamas supporters place Islamic flags at the Palestinian Legislative Council in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006. Hamas supporters briefly raised their flag over the Palestinian parliament and rushed into the building, amid clashes with Fatah loyalists. The two camps threw stones at each other, breaking windows in the building, as Fatah supporters briefly tried to lower the green Hamas banners. It was the first confrontation between Hamas and Fatah since the Islamic militant group won parliament elections on Wednesday. [AP]

Mushir al-Masri, a Hamas candidate who won election in the northern Gaza Strip, said peace talks and recognition of Israel are "not on our agenda" but the group is ready for a partnership — presumably with Abbas.

Hamas officials tried to reassure the world of its intentions.

"Don't be afraid," Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, told the BBC. "Hamas is a Palestinian movement, it is an aware and mature movement, one which is politically open in the Palestinian arena, and to its Arab and Islamic hinterland, and similarly open to the international arena."

Palestinian election officials confirmed early Thursday that Hamas had won a large majority of the seats up for grabs in electoral districts in the West Bank and Gaza. It was the first time Hamas has contested a parliamentary vote.

Half the seats were chosen on a national list and the other half by districts. While the national voting appeared to be close, election officials said Hamas had won a large majority in the district races. Hamas apparently took advantage of divisions in Fatah; the long-ruling party fielded multiple candidates in many districts, splitting the Fatah vote.

Initial exit polls had given Fatah a slight edge. Palestinian pollsters were at a loss to explain the discrepancy between the exit polls and the result. It may have been partly due to a reluctance by some voters to admit to pollsters that they were abandoning the ruling party.

Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi, re-elected on a moderate platform, said the Hamas victory was a dramatic turning point. She said she is concerned the militants will now impose their fundamentalist social agenda and lead the Palestinians into international isolation.

International observers, led by former President Carter, said the elections were "well-administered."