Hamas and Fatah hint at possible alliance

The ruling Fatah Party and the Islamic Hamas group today made impassioned last-minute appeals for support on the final day of campaigning in the Palestinian parliamentary elections.

With polls suggesting Wednesday’s election is too close to call, Hamas and Fatah indicated an interest in joining together in a coalition after the vote.

Hamas officials said that even if they win a majority, they would prefer lower-profile Cabinet posts and to let Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas deal with the Israelis.

That would likely rule out a Hamas-run government, an alarming prospect for Israel and the West that would spell trouble for future peace prospects.

“We will not put obstacles in the way of Abu Mazen, but we want to correct his policy, to support him in how he can bring more rights for the Palestinians,” said Ghazi Hamad, a prominent Hamas spokesman and candidate in Gaza.

Across Gaza and the West Bank, Palestinians plastered posters on walls and electrical poles, strung up banners and held large rallies to drum up support.

“Don’t let anyone steal your achievements,” Fatah candidate Samir Masharawi told followers in Gaza City. “It’s not a shame to negotiate … It’s a shame to give up,” he said.

Fatah candidates in Gaza joined hundreds of supporters on a pilgrimage to the home of the late Yasser Arafat, hoping to parlay the memory of the iconic leader into votes.

Led by Fatah candidate Mohammed Dahlan, the chanting crowd pledged its commitment “to the blood of the martyrs, to the wounds of the wounded, to the suffering of the prisoners – and to vote for the Fatah list.”

Thousands attended a Hamas rally in the West Bank city of Hebron, waving green Hamas flags and posters of leaders killed by Israel in a massive show of strength by the Islamic group. In a sign of Islamic conservatism, men and woman stood on opposite sides.

Hamas, known for its suicide bombings and calls for Israel’s destruction, has emerged as a formidable political force. It has attracted voters with a platform stressing clean government and an end to Fatah’s corruption, while pointing to its popular social and education programs.

With many Palestinians weary after five years of fighting with Israel, Hamas has played down its violent ideology. But appealing to its hardline core, leaders also say they remain committed to armed struggle.

The mixed messages were evident tonight. Khaled Mashaal, the group’s exiled supreme leader, rejected the possibility of negotiations with Israel.

“What is the point of negotiations when your enemy does not acknowledge your rights,” he told the Al-Arabiya satellite channel. “We should escalate the resistance.”

But in Gaza, Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar, a top parliamentary candidate, said the group might be willing to negotiate with Israel through a third party.

“Negotiation is not a taboo,” he said. “If there is something from the enemy side to be offered, like stopping aggression, releasing our prisoners, we could find a way.”

Zahar’s statements reflected the growing likelihood that Fatah and Hamas will find a way to work together after the election. In a sign of Hamas’ pragmatism, the group has not carried out a suicide bombing in the year since a cease-fire was declared with Israel.

Hamas officials said they will only decide whether to join the government after the vote. But if they do, it will be as a partner in a coalition with Fatah.

“Fatah is the first choice as a coalition partner,” said Hamad. He said Hamas would demand service ministries, such as health and education, though it would want some say in diplomatic affairs as well.

Fatah officials have said they expect to lead a coalition government, preferably with smaller parties, but also with Hamas if it agrees to allow peace talks.

“We will be happy to see Hamas become more realistic, more pragmatic,” said Palestinian Cabinet minister Sufian Abu Zaydeh. “When you are in power, you understand the situation more, more work and less criticism.”

Hamas’ participation has created friction with Israel, the US and the European Union – which have all branded Hamas a terrorist group.

The US has said it won’t deal with Hamas members who join the government, and US and EU officials have said millions of dollars in foreign aid could be in jeopardy.

“It’s very difficult for us to be in a position of negotiating or talking to Hamas unless there’s a very clear renunciation of terrorism,” British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today.