Fatah beats out a strong Hamas in municipal elections

[drdon326]

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' ruling Fatah movement narrowly fended off a strong challenge by the Islamic militant group Hamas in local elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Friday, with Fatah winning 56 percent and Hamas 33 percent of the vote.

The corruption-tainted Fatah had feared defeat in Thursday's elections, but unofficial election results indicated the party won in 45 of 84 communities. However, Hamas established itself as a major political player, winning 23 of the contests, including in the three biggest towns - Qalqilyah, Rafah and Beit Lahia.

Final official results are expected only Sunday but Qalqilyah's next mayor will likely be from Hamas.

In the remaining 16 communities, neither side won a clear majority, with independents or smaller factions getting the most votes.

Both Hamas and Fatah disputed some of the results.

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/572883.html
..................................................................

A.maz.ing.

[bennywhale]

1. What implications do these have

for the running of Palestine?

You say local and municipal elections, what about any actual quasi-government/parliament?

Do these victories each represent one seat in parliament like in Britain?

[bemildred]

2. In the larger sense it is primarily interesting as an indicator

of the political sentiments of the Palestinian people.
It does not affect such overall government as the Palestinians
are allowed directly, as I understand it.

[bennywhale]

3. what a choice to have to make

between fatah and hamas

[drdon326]

4. Really.

when fatah is the more MODERATE party, you are really in trouble.

[bennywhale]

5. I'm not sure whether

you are implying that i am suggesting people should consider Hamas are you?

I'm just making the point having just voted for the Liberal Democrats yesterday that a choice between murderers and corruption is Murphie's choice.

You should obviously still plump for the corruption as most palestinians have.

[Englander]

6. "What's that you say?You want some corrupt politicians?"

Glass houses,& all that....

"Likud voters back Sharon

Despite stormy reception at Likud convention, poll suggests 77 percent of Likud voters would pick Sharon over Netanyahu for party leadership. However, 46 percent feel Sharon family is corrupt
By Ynetnews

TEL AVIV - About 61 percent of Likud voters feel Ariel Sharon is the best possible leader for Israel, with 77 percent saying he is their pick for the party's leadership, a survey by pollster Mina Tzemach has found.

However, 46 percent say they believe the Sharon family is corrupt to the core. "

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3053898,00.html
_________________________________________

"Minister suspected of corruption

2004 State Comptroller report says Minister without portfolio Tzachi Hanagbi’s tenure as environment minister marred by corrupt political appointments of Likud Central Committee members and their relatives
By Efrat Weiss and Attila Somfalv

Minister without portfolio Tzachi Hanegbi (Likud) was interrogated Thursday under warning by police for suspicion of committing illegal acts related to inappropriate political appointments he had made during his tenure as environment minister.

The police launched the investigation six months ago following the 2004 State Comptrollers report regarding inappropriate political appointments in the Environment Ministry.

Pursuant to the report, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz decided to launch an inquiry into the matter.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3072876,00.html
____________________________________________

Chris McGreal in Jerusalem
Thursday January 22, 2004
The Guardian

For months, Ariel Sharon's bitterest opponents have gleefully speculated on the nature of his downfall. Would he be toppled by the "Greek island affair" allegedly involving millions of dollars in bribes and plans to build an exotic casino on a tiny island in the Aegean Sea? Or would he be felled by the very scheming that helped bring him to power, using front companies to launder illegal campaign contributions?

For a while, the money was on the investigation of the "Cyril Kern affair", allegedly involving bribery and more illegal money in an attempt to bury the earlier scandal.

At times Mr Sharon's critics wearily confessed that they thought he might ride the storm, buoyed by a public that revered him for hitting back hard against the Palestinians. They cared little for the complex details of grubby corruption investigations.

But yesterday the betting was back on the Greek island affair to spell the prime minister's political doom, after a wealthy businessman and leading power broker in his Likud party, David Appel, was indicted for allegedly paying bribes to Mr Sharon and his youngest son, Gilad."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1128400,00.html