GAZA
CITY, November 30, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Some top figures of the
Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas will run as candidates the coming
legislative elections slated for January, a source close to Hamas
revealed to IslamOnline.net Wednesday, November 30.
"Earlier,
the movement believed leaders should dedicate their time and effort to
running the movement affairs," said the source, adding
"changing circumstances on the Palestinian arena triggered a
policy shift that resulted in deciding that some of its well-known
leaders; such as Mahmoud Al-Zahar, Hassan Yousef and Ismael Hanieh in
the coming elections, should run as candidates."
The
Palestinian legislative elections are due January 25, 2006, with all
factions participating except Islamic Jihad which chose to boycott the
process.
Women,
Christian Candidates
The
source further added that Hamas would field a number of women,
detainees in Israeli jails and Christians on its list of candidates.
"Female
candidates were selected by the women Shura body of the
movement," said the source adding that "the movement could
nominate Christians on its lists in the coming voting."
The
source did not elaborate further.
Some
detainees will also run in the elections on Hamas lists, said the
source adding that some of the Hamas candidates who won elections are
still in Israeli prisons.
Hamas
candidates' lists are ready months back and can be forwarded to
election authorities upon request, he said.
Earlier,
Israel threatened to stop Hamas from running in the coming
parliamentary elections.
Under
Israeli pressures, the US and European Union placed the biggest
Palestinian resistance faction Hamas on their lists of foreign
terrorist organizations.
Israel
has made no secret of its rejection of Hamas taking part in the polls,
with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and other officials openly vowing not
to help a smooth Palestinian voting process.
"Hamas
wants to develop a major resistance project tackling all walks of life
in the occupied Palestinian territories such as politics, economy,
tourism, investment, etc," Mahmoud Al-Zahar has said earlier.
Zahar
said the resistance group will craft new programs aimed for changing
the image of life in the territories.
"Hamas
seeks to serve interests of Palestinians in a new style that renders
positive fruits to the Palestinian people," he said.
Hamas
Vs Fatah
Hamas
is widely expected to make a strong showing in the legislative polls
at the expense of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' mainstream
Fatah movement.
Hamas'
recent decision was made after Palestinian President Mahoud Abbas
postponed Fatah movement preliminary elections due to
"large-scale irregularities."
Hamas
is Fatah's main competitor in the elections, with Reuters estimating
up to 30% of the Palestinian parliament seats up for grips to go to
the resistance movement.
The
Hamas source added to IOL that the Islamic movement will take part in
the election in full power, adding the resistance movement will field
candidates in all constituencies.
Shura
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Ismael Hanieh.
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The
movement may resort to alliances with some independent candidates
according to the readings of each constituency's particularities, the
source added.
On
the mechanism of choosing candidates, the source said Hamas
decision-making circles adopt Shura (Consultation) principle.
"Shura
concept is always applied in dealing with issues of prime significance
to the movement, although this may not be open for the public to
know," he said.
Local
Hamas leaders have been given the right to pick candidates in their
respective areas, according to local circumstances, added the source.
It
further added the decision to join the polls was very carefully
studied and probed among the Hamas cadres.
"The
decision to boycott 1996 legislative elections was a political one, as
Shari'ah does not forbid running in the elections."
