The Islamic Hamas movement swept to victory over the long-dominant Fatah faction yesterday in Palestinian parliamentary polls, a political earthquake that could bury any hope for reviving peace talks with Israel.

 

The shock outcome, acknowledged by Fatah ahead of official results, would not automatically unseat President Mahmoud Abbas, a moderate elected last year after Yasser Arafat's death. But he has said he might resign if unable to pursue a peace policy.

 

With peace negotiations stalled since 2000 and Israel and Hamas bitter enemies, Israeli interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert could opt for more unilateral moves, following last year's Gaza pullout, to shape borders on land Palestinians want for a state.

 

"Hamas has won more than 70 seats in Gaza and the West Bank, which gives it more than 50 per cent of the vote," said Ismail Haniyeh, a leader of the group whose charter calls for Israel's eventual destruction.

 

Within hours of the statement, based on results supplied by Hamas representatives at polling stations, Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei of Fatah and his cabinet quit. Abbas asked him to stay on in a caretaker capacity.

 

Under Palestinian law, the biggest party in parliament may veto the president's choice of a prime minister, effectively leaving the shape of the next government in the hands of Hamas.

 

"Our lives will never be the same," Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said. "Today we woke up, and the sky was a different color. We have entered a new era."

 

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mark Regev declined comment amid reports that Olmert had told cabinet ministers not to speak out before top-level consultations on the Hamas win.

 

Israel, the US and the EU have classified Hamas, which has carried out nearly 60 suicide bombings in the Jewish state since a Palestinian uprising began in 2000, as a terrorist organization.

 

A senior Fatah official said it appeared Hamas was propelled to victory by a protest vote against years of corruption in the mainstream faction and the Palestinian Authority it controls.

 

Hamas officials held out the possibility of a coalition with Fatah and other parties and reaffirmed its commitment to what it calls armed resistance against Israeli occupation, as well as its opposition to negotiations with Israel.

 

But Jibril Rajoub, a senior Fatah official in the West Bank, rejected any coalition with Hamas, a group that Abbas had said he hoped to bring into the political mainstream and persuade to disarm.

 

"Fatah rejects participating in a government formed by Hamas," Rajoub said. "Hamas has to take up its responsibilities. Fatah will act as a responsible opposition."

 

(China Daily January 27, 2006)