The popular terrorist organization has been a strong contender against the ruling Fatah party in the race for the PA legislature slated for Wednesday. Recent PA election polls indicate that Hamas is closing in on Fatah, with both of them receiving close to 35% of the vote. Previous polls had shown Fatah well ahead of Hamas.
Some 58,000 members of the PA security forces cast their ballots in an early vote on Monday so they could be on hand to provide security at the polling stations on Wednesday.
“Negotiations are a means,” said Mahmoud al-Zahar, a top leader in Hamas and a candidate on the group’s list. “If Israel has anything to offer on the issues of halting attacks, withdrawal or releasing prisoners, then a thousand means can be found,” he told reporters. “Negotiation [with Israel] is not taboo,” he added.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, meanwhile, said he believes that a Hamas victory at the polls would “demonstrate a commitment of most Palestinians to democracy.”
Carter served as president when Israel signed its peace treaty with Egypt, returning the Sinai in a land-for-peace deal. He made his remarks Monday in a speech as the guest of honor at the prestigious Herzilya Conference.
“My hope is that [by winning seats within the PA in the election], this will moderate their position and lead to their transformation to a non-violent organization,” he said.
Carter also said he plans to talk with Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas, whom he believes is a “person of integrity.” He expressed his hope that the elections will be peaceful.
The 81-year-old former diplomat will serve as team leader for the foreign observers watching over the Palestinian Authority elections on Wednesday.
In an apparent contradiction to Carter’s statements, meanwhile, Israeli sources told reporters in Jerusalem on Sunday that the Bush administration promised to refuse to recognize any PA government that includes Hamas. According to Haaretz news service, the sources quoted American envoys in Israel ten days ago who said that such a government would violate American law.
Similar statements were made by the European Union’s head of foreign policy, Javier Solana, as well as the Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos. Both were in Israel for talks last week and expressed their opposition to any PA government that would include Hamas. See this article, however.
Some 58,000 members of the PA security forces cast their ballots in an early vote on Monday so they could be on hand to provide security at the polling stations on Wednesday.
“Negotiations are a means,” said Mahmoud al-Zahar, a top leader in Hamas and a candidate on the group’s list. “If Israel has anything to offer on the issues of halting attacks, withdrawal or releasing prisoners, then a thousand means can be found,” he told reporters. “Negotiation [with Israel] is not taboo,” he added.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, meanwhile, said he believes that a Hamas victory at the polls would “demonstrate a commitment of most Palestinians to democracy.”
Carter served as president when Israel signed its peace treaty with Egypt, returning the Sinai in a land-for-peace deal. He made his remarks Monday in a speech as the guest of honor at the prestigious Herzilya Conference.
“My hope is that [by winning seats within the PA in the election], this will moderate their position and lead to their transformation to a non-violent organization,” he said.
Carter also said he plans to talk with Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas, whom he believes is a “person of integrity.” He expressed his hope that the elections will be peaceful.
The 81-year-old former diplomat will serve as team leader for the foreign observers watching over the Palestinian Authority elections on Wednesday.
In an apparent contradiction to Carter’s statements, meanwhile, Israeli sources told reporters in Jerusalem on Sunday that the Bush administration promised to refuse to recognize any PA government that includes Hamas. According to Haaretz news service, the sources quoted American envoys in Israel ten days ago who said that such a government would violate American law.
Similar statements were made by the European Union’s head of foreign policy, Javier Solana, as well as the Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos. Both were in Israel for talks last week and expressed their opposition to any PA government that would include Hamas. See this article, however.