Abbas Calls For Palestinian Elections

Hamas Dismisses The Call As 'Illegal'

(CBS/AP)  Gone was the evenhanded tone, the hesitation. In calling for early elections, a transformed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was emotional, sarcastic, even cracked jokes about his political rivals, the Islamic militant Hamas. Without notes, he delivered perhaps the most important speech of his career.

Abbas kept his decision — elections at the earliest possible date — even from his closest aides. He had widely been expected to raise the possibility of an early vote, but be far less decisive.

CBS News correspondent Joie Chen reports that Abbas said to a cheering crowd, “Let us return to the people. Let them be the judge.”

When he made the announcement, many in the auditorium at his headquarters leapt to their feet and clapped, relieved that months of indecision were finally over.

Pushing for elections is a gamble by Abbas that Palestinians will back him as he seeks to weaken the Islamic militants, avoid civil war and keep momentum for peace overtures with Israel.

Hamas accused Abbas of trying to topple its government, promised to block the elections and urged supporters to take to the streets. “This is a real coup,” said Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar, a Hamas hard-liner.

Later Saturday, in Gaza, thousands of Hamas supporters marched in protest and 18 Palestinians were wounded in clashes between the two political camps.

Hamas' landslide election in January parliamentary elections split the Palestinian leadership into two camps. One, led by Abbas, seeks peace with Israel; the other, led by Islamic Hamas militants, is sworn to the Jewish state's destruction. The infighting has often degenerated into convulsions of violence, and this week, tensions reached their highest peak in years.

Abbas tried to end the power struggle by bringing Hamas into a more moderate coalition with his Fatah Party, but the Islamic group refused to pay the price he demanded — recognizing Israel and renouncing violence.

“We have a crisis. We have an authority with two heads. So what do we do? Bullets or ballots?” asked Saeb Erekat, an aide to Abbas. “Abu Mazen said ballots,” he said, using Abbas' nickname.

Across the West Bank and Gaza, streets were largely deserted as everyone watched Abbas' 90-minute address, peppered with criticism of Hamas.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair urged the international community to support Abbas, while State Department spokesman Edgar Vasquez said it was “an issue for the Palestinian people to decide through a peaceful political process.” Russia asked the Palestinians to try to maintain unity.

Abbas said a unity government was still the best option, but that he had despaired of persuading Hamas to enter into a coalition with Fatah. The Hamas government has drawn crushing international sanctions over its militantly anti-Israel stand, but has refused to recognize Israel, the West's condition for resuming aid.

“I ... decided to call for early presidential and parliament elections,” Abbas said from his West Bank headquarters, after outlining months of failed coalition talks. “Let us return to the people, to hear their word, and let them be the judge.”

His aides said they expected the vote to be held by the summer. In coming days, Abbas is to meet with the Central Election Commission to hear how much time it will need to prepare. Once he issues a formal decree calling for elections, the balloting must take place within three months.

In an immediate step toward parliamentary and presidential elections, Abbas announced he has appointed new Fatah leaders. Fatah officials said the party's younger leaders, who had long clamored for a role in decision-making, would now be given a chance. Fatah's old guard had refused to step aside, a key reason the movement remained in disarray after its election defeat.

[krotec54]

Hamas had failed to unite the Palestinian government to destroy Israel. It is now destroying itself from within. It will be a matter of time before it commits political suicide.

[afmca]

Hamas, Fatah, Hezbollah, and alQaeda -- what do they all have in common? They all seem to be able to kill and murder with the utmost of ease and lack of conscious, but cannot seem to actual lead and govern. With all the problems in the Middle East - not having an organization or a country (Iran, Syria, etc.) that actually wants to help their people find a peaceful solution makes resolving the issues impossible. Until the Palestinians reject these current organizations and creates one that actually wants to build a lasting peace - their children will continue to die and they will continue to be viewed as terrorists.

[jrlordjr]

Well, I haven't heard of Baptists gunning for Methodists lately.

[getserious1]

Muslims killing Muslims....again....I agree with afmca, until the Muslim religious leaders call for peace, there won't be any. And as long as the Muslim leaders are more concerned with their own power and prestige than they are concerned with the people they lead, this will continue on and on and on and on. This is NOT something we (US) started and does not appear to be something we can stop, no matter what methods are used. You can't negotiate with fanatics that are willing to kill their own at the drop of a hat.

[cathaleen]

This fighting has nothing to do with religion.
The Palestinian people are caught between two factions, Hamas & Fatah. The bottom line is that the Palestinian people want jobs, they want to feed their family and because of Hamas, there are no jobs and they're not getting paid for the ones they do now. Someone needs to step in (not Israel or US), maybe some Arab govt to stop this.

[stevex47]

Fartknocker2,
Ya we'll send cheney over there to show 'em how to handle guns safely.

[changeit4]

Muslims killing Muslims. What the hell else is new? It's fast becoming a fact, like the sun rising in the east. That doesn't make the news; why should the continued violence?

How many generations must die before they realize it's not going to work? I would have thought surely before now...

A civilization, religion, or culture CANNOT and will not ever emerge from poverty if it cannot stop killing its own members, let alone attacking others outside of itself.

Violence will never meet basic human needs. Are they crazy from religion, heat, malnutrition... WHY?

[stevex47]

Cathaleen,
Please accept my apology for taking a personal shot at you awhile back. I'm sorry.

[grazinggoat]

stevex47
Good one about safely manning a gun by Wax-FaceCheney.

[getcentered]

We should designate a country for all WARMONGERS to live. Then they can kill each other off while the rest of us live in peace.

I'd put Chenny, Bush, Rummy, Kissinger and Gonzalez in there along with many, many more.

[cathaleen]

Stevex47

Ok, Thank you.

[mjv2944]

This is a real surprise, Muslims killing Muslims.I don't think it will ever end because it seems that their religious leaders are causing a lot of it. Hamas and Fatah, I think are fighting for control of the money so that they can steal it. I am sure that the USA will be blamed. Was there ever a country called Palestine?

[getserious1]

There never was a country called palestine, these people have been kicked out of all of the Arab countries because no-one wanted them.

[getserious1]

Getcentered, first, you aren't and 2nd, you should send yourself for your bigotry against the repubs.

[mjv2944]

getserious1

Why aren't they welcomed by fellow peace loving Arabs?

[titocordero]

MJV2944

Peace loving Arabs...HA!HA!HA! You meant that sarcastically of course. Whoever believes in "peace loving Arabs" must also believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause...................

[titocordero]

Gestserious1

You make a very good point about none of the Islamic countries wanting to have the Palestinians. What they want is for the Palestinians to keep living the way they are so that they can keep blaming Israel for Palestinians peoples woes. The world is on to this. Simple common sense and logic will tell you that with many wealthy Islamic countries why is it that none of them come to the aid of their poor Palestinian brothers. I see these Islamic leaders are good at giving speeches and funneling arms to Hamas and Fatah. It's plain to see that they come together real well when their binding tie is hatred. I've yet to see them come together in love and true brotherhood for their fellow man. If they care so much for the Palestinian people why don't they invest in Palestine? Build more hospitals, schools and universities? Help them with their infrastructure. Teach them to be self sufficient and not self destructive.

[lestb35]

God, these people! Islam is a flawed religion to allow for all this killing. They need to reform their religion have Muhammad reappear or something.

[ronniehm]

Muslims killing muslims in Iraq. Muslims killing muslims in Palestine. I could live with four more years of that. Bush in '08.

[grazinggoat]

It's with deep sadness that I read and you guys(gals) should read this document. God have pity of us.

http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2006/12/12/1035/#more-1035

[ronniehm]

"God have pity of us."

You're obviously referring to foreign muslims, since that's what you are. Stop pretending to be one of "us".

[titocordero]

RonnieHM

You're right about Grazinggoat he's not one of us you know of the human persuasion. I think Grazinggoat was found, shaved down and taught how to use the internet.

[ronniehm]

I read his article about how we "tortured" a poor innocent terrorist by taking him to the dentist in shackles. One thing I couldn't figure out from the article is whether the torture was making him wear shackles or the fact that we introduced him to good hygiene. Those cleanings can be fierce when you haven't brushed in 20 ramadans.

[grazinggoat]

titotottiottitoocordero and RunnyHeMorroid U, both, are so stupid.

http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2006/12/12/1035/#more-1035

That was an article that describes TORTURE in Twenty First Century being done to an american fellow like you and me, and all what you found to counter this is to insult me pretending that I'm not American. Real DUMS.

The fact is this guy who wrote about it has published it in the Guardian, a prestigious publication of the UK. Mind, uncultured people like you, must feel no difference to what is said in the article, because you're just some kuklusklanic right-wingers. Still believing in the most hated guy in the world Walking-Liar Bush.

[Syndicate]

I love the line "Let us return to the people. Let them be the judge.%u201D

[ronniehm]

We've been over this. You're not American. You can barely speak English, and what you manage to blurt out is generally British English. But we could settle this. Turn on your TV (if your cave has one) at 9PM eastern and identify the first 3 commercials shown on ESPN2 in that hour. Have fun, pretender.

[ronniehm]

Muslims killing muslims in Iraq.
Muslims killing muslims in Afghanistan.
Muslims killing muslims in Palestine.
Bush in '08.

[grazinggoat]

cbscrash07
This is not a golf game. The people has already expressed its desire in January of this year, under the observation of interantional observers such as former president Jimmy Carter. It's just our Walking-Liar did not like what he saw and came under pressure from his zionist allies to put pressure on this hmas goverment and strangle it. The palestinian prime minister tried to come with the money that has been donated to him by his supporters in the arab world to pay the palestinian authority's employees. And you saw what the President's henchmen did to him at the Egypt-Gaza Crossing. This is called a coup.

Let us return to the people, to hear their word, and let them be the judge. Bet you it's a nice lign. What if the Palestinians chose again the same senario? Will Walking-Liar still accept it as is? Bet you not. Time will sure tell.

[grazinggoat]

RonnieHeMorroid, Palestinian Prime minister, like it or not, has supporters in Palestine and the Arab World.

[ronniehm]

Yeah, I saw some of his muslim fans take a shot of support at him at the gaza border. The jew mind-control machine made them do it.

[ronniehm]

By the way, think of a cute nickname for me that you can spell.

[ronniehm]

It's spelled "hemorrhoid," Mr. "American."
Hey, 7 minutes to go. You got your TV on?

[grazinggoat]

http://www.hemaron.com/
what about HeMaRonnie? is this cute enough for U my frined?

[grazinggoat]

And don't laught at it

[ronniehm]

If you can spell it, go with it.

[grazinggoat]

got to go see my gal... leave you alone get instructed... and come back teach us... my friend HeMaRonnie

[ronniehm]

Aww, just 4 minutes before the "test". How shocking.

[Free Citizen]

Presidential and parliament elections? What parliament elections? Didn't they just had one in which Hamas won with a landslide? I thought the two institutions were separate. The President would have not right to call for any elections other than his own. Who would believe this Abbas who have decided to switch camp and become a stooge of Israel? Where is that Abu Mazen who directed the Munich massacre? Isn't it true that he took over the leadership through being handpicked by Arafat who got tired of zionist lies?

To call for general elections after the punishing boycott by traditional donors is indeed a low blow by Abu. Time will tell if the Palestinians have strong resolve to stand for their rights. And what does this statement means? "Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said he was willing to give up large parts of the West Bank in a peace deal, and that he was ready to talk peace." What right does Olmert have to make such concession? All of West Bank is not theirs to dictate terms. The rightful thing is for them to withdraw totally from the occupied lands without any conditions. In fact they should have done that long ago.

[ronniehm]

Jews were living there in 2000BC. Islam wasn't even a religion until around 600-700AD. Whose land is it again?

[Free Citizen]

Wrong. The Jews may have settled there 2000 years ago. But they left or they were exiled according to their Torah. There is a law in every country where if the occupant of a property vacates that property after a number of years, the rights of that occupant to the property will cease to be. 2000 years is a long time. Civilisations have come and gone during such a vast period of time. The Palestinians were settlers there before the European zionist arrived after the last world war. In fact the Palestinians have been there since the Jews left. The Palestinians were driven from their homes and their homes bulldozed for new Israeli settlements. That is wrong in anyone's book. That is called illegal occupation. And that is what the Palestinians have been fighting since the "creation" of Israel. The right of return.

[ronniehm]

I see. So around 690AD, when the land was CONQUERED by muslims and the Temple of David was DESTROYED so the islamic Dome of the Rock could be built, the jews living there were just part of the early occupation. Uh huh.

[ronniehm]

Looks like the CIVIL WAR in palestine is in full swing. It's a CIVIL WAR, you know. Just because NBC hasn't officially designated it as a CIVIL WAR doesn't mean it's not a CIVIL WAR. It's probably more of a CIVIL WAR than the CIVIL WAR in iraq, because in this CIVIL WAR they're actually fighting for control. That other CIVIL WAR is just a bunch of people who hate each other. So we have muslims killing muslims in iraq, muslims killing muslims in palestine, muslims killing muslims in afghanistan. I can live with 4 more years of that. Bush in '08. .... OK, fine. Put his mom's name on the ballot.

[titocordero]

Grazinggoat

You see I did not even comment on what you had to say about David Padilla which by the way is the guys name you're talking about. I grew up in the same streets this guy grew up in in Chicago. Believe it or not we have mutual acquaintances. This guy is not even a real Muslim. What he is is a real idiot who just happen to get caught at the wrong place at the wrong time. Everything about this guys life was messed up. It'no secret that the U.S. knows this guys no terrorist. They're just trying to make an example out of him but it does not justify him being treated the way that he is by our government.