Like most people I would consider reasonable, I have mixed feelings about the Palestinians. I think they have the right to all things Europeans, Americans, Australians, etc., tend to take for granted: free political, cultural,and religious expression; a political process based on checks, balances, and civil liberties; economic freedoms; and a future that promises safety, stability, and progression.
On the other hand, I don't buy their narrative of victimhood at the hand of Israelis; I don't think their nationalistic aspirations trump the Israelis' right to safety; and I think they've got to take a lot more responsibility for their past, present, and future.
In this context, elections are a good thing. Even if they don't work perfectly, they force leaders to seek legitimacy among their constituents. It forces them to account for their actions and the consequences of their actions. And the more effective a democracy is, the more honest is the political debate.
But it's not as if the Palestinians have great choices. Fatah is still in its de-Yasser-Arafatization process, trying to shake of the reality and perception of massive corruption. Hamas isn't corrupt but is really quite hellbent on destroying the Palestinians through other means, namely through continued violent confrontation with Israel.
Leftist Israelis are desperately trying to see a glimmer of moderation here. Under the belief that most Palestinians want the same as them, they also believe that Hamas will lighten up once they are faced with realities of the matter. As if other theocratic regimes in the world have tended to do that.
On the other hand, it is not helpful to deny Hamas election ballots, since that would seem to disenfranchise Palestinians at the outset.
It is often said that Palestinians by and large accept the existence of Israel, and I can't help being skeptical. Do they accept it because they can't ignore the reality of Israel's existence, because they've reluctantly resigned themselves to it, or because (due to the Arafat legacy) they know that they won't see any progress before they go through the motions?
Then I tell myself: well, how much can I really expect? Would I believe it if the overwhelming majority of Palestinians suddenly started acting enthusiastic about Israel? Am I being fair here?
Perhaps Palestinians should not worry so much about their relationship to Israel but worry more about creating a good society for themselves with what resources are available to them. That may be less than what they need, or feel entitled to, but it seems pretty clear to me that by making the best out of the situation the worst that can happen is that things get better, and it's entirely possible that it gets easier for Israel to make further concessions.
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