Hamas, FIGHTING for YOU

Well, I never thought I would find humor in the democratic election of terrorists to lead the Palestinian government, but here it is. The NY Times today "Hamas Is Silent on Leaders As the Power Tilts to Gaza":

In an interview a few years ago, Mahmoud Zahar, a surgeon and senior leader of the radical Islamic movement Hamas, was asked his medical specialty.

"Thyroids: I'm very good at cutting throats," Dr. Zahar said, drawing his forefinger across his neck as a rare smile spread across his face.

Before Hamas's triumph in the Palestinian elections last week, Dr. Zahar and other senior Hamas figures were well known here, though not necessarily in the wider world. Since its founding in 1987, the group has emphasized its collective leadership rather than promoting individual leaders. And given that Israeli airstrikes have killed several of the most prominent Hamas leaders in recent years, the surviving ones have maintained a low profile.

Still, Dr. Zahar, who is around 60, is one of several Hamas leaders likely to become much more visible as Hamas assumes control of the Palestinian government after defeating the governing Fatah party.

The other top figures include Khaled Meshal, the group's overall leader, who is in exile and has spent most of the past few years in Damascus, Syria. There is also Ismail Haniya, who was at the top of Hamas's candidate list and is regarded as the most pragmatic of the senior leaders. He is considered likely to land a top government post, possibly even the prime minister's job.

So far, Hamas has refused to say who will fill which posts. And because Hamas has previously boycotted the Palestinian Authority, group leaders have no formal experience in government.

There has been speculation among political analysts that Hamas may install little-known technocrats in the government rather than its top-tier leadership. However, a number of Hamas figures are sure to play central roles regardless of whether they hold government positions.

Mr. Meshal, who travels throughout the Arab world, will not be part of the new government since he is abroad, but will exert considerable influence even from afar.

There is also speculation that Mr. Meshal, who turns 50 this year, may try to visit Gaza, since the Palestinians now control its southern border with Egypt. But Israel says its military will still pursue wanted Palestinians despite having withdrawn from Gaza, and Mr. Meshal could become a target if he enters it.

Mr. Meshal, who has salt-and-pepper hair and a matching beard, is a strict ideologue. He routinely calls for violent confrontation with Israel, even during the past year, while Hamas has largely abided by a truce and some Hamas leaders have flirted with the notion of an extended cease-fire.

In a belated bid for respectability:

Hamas says its political leaders operate independently from the group's military wing. Israel has never accepted this, saying Hamas leaders signal when bombings and other attacks should be carried out, even if they are not involved in the details.

Hamas, FIGHTING for YOU:

"I don't think the Hamas leadership knows how it is going to have government meetings," said Mr. Sourani, the human rights advocate. "It may be by e-mail or fax or video conferences."