Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Palestinian Election; Weapon Against the People


By Dr. Elias Akleh
Uruknet

"....Lately election has been employed to oppress people rather than serving them. Palestinian election is such a clear example.....

So the G.I. boys were sent to topple down Afghanistan’s regime and to install UNOCAL’s Hamid Karzai as President in December 2004. Evidence of widespread fraud in last month’s (September 09) Afghanistan election has been broadcasted all over the news media.
Similar events took place in Iraq.........

With the encouragement of the US, Israel, and some Arab regimes, Abbas decreed to hold presidential and legislative elections on 24th of January 2010. It is important to remember that according to the Palestinian constitution Abbas’ presidency had expired last January 2009, and that he should be replaced by the head of the Legislative Council until new presidential election takes place. For the last ten months Abbas had violated the laws and the constitution by forcing himself into the presidency. All his decisions during this period including the election are unconstitutional and illegal.

Abbas’ calling for election came in the wrong time and has served to draw attention away from Goldstone’s report and from Israeli war crimes. Instead of concentrating efforts to take Israel to the International Criminal Court for its crimes, Abbas’ call is sidetracking these efforts and attention towards illusive election. Instead of working on national reconciliation and unity Abbas is increasing Palestinian division.

Such election is aimed at neutralizing Hamas, and installing a new Palestinian government under the possible leadership of Muhammad Dahlan, who has been thrown back onto the political stage, and is been prepped for presidency. The new government is to give more concessions to Israel.

Election is meant to punish, to illegitimize, and to further isolate Hamas government for not signing the Egyptian sponsored reconciliation agreement after it was changed to give Abbas absolute power.

To guarantee the defeat of Hamas in any future election Abbas’ security forces as well as the Israeli army have been arresting Hamas leaders in the West Bank and closing all its charitable institutions. Starving and murdering Palestinians in Gaza has been pointed to as the fate of West Bank Palestinians if they elect Hamas.

Election is a tool used to suppress Palestinian national interests. Palestinians in occupied Palestine are under occupation and under threat of violence and starvation. They do not have real freedom to elect representatives. There is no guarantee that election would not be manipulated by Israel and Abbas’ Palestinian Authority. There are no guarantees that the results of election would be recognized and respected by Israel, US and EU. Previous experience; the fate of elected Hamas government, justifies such fears.......

Palestinian election under the Israeli occupation is a big joke. It is meant to give the illusion of Palestinian freedom and autonomy, and to keep the people busy with something other than their legitimate resistance to the occupation. Palestinians can regain their country and assert their rights only by resisting the Israeli occupation and not by fake elections."

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