Meshaal calls for ‘Palestinian house to be put in order based on democracy’

The leader of the Hamas political bureau called on Wednesday for the Palestinian house to be put in order around democratic principles, starting with local, parliamentary, presidential and PLO elections, Al-Resalah newspaper has reported.

“The Palestinians do not accept any leadership except an elected leadership which unites the nation,” said Khaled Meshaal during a public eulogy for a Palestinian fighter who died in Gaza. The Hamas chief praised Khalid Al-Hoor for his efforts to protect the Palestinian people and for his role in defending the Gaza Strip during successive Israeli military offensives.

Meshaal thanked the family of the fighter, especially his parents, for not hesitating to let him join the resistance to Israel’s brutal military occupation. He noted that the Palestinians are facing a “fierce enemy” whose “violations against the Palestinians the oppressive world has no intention of even trying to curb.”

The Hamas official also thanked all of the other resistance fighters, including the movement’s military wing, for their preparations to defend the Palestinian people against Israeli aggression. He reminded those listening that in this day and age the oppressors in the world only respect those who are strong.

In closing, Meshaal pointed out that the path of resistance is “only an alternative” to the democratic way and is being prepared for the time when the movement’s democratic efforts are not respected.

Hamas won the 2006 parliamentarian elections in a sweeping victory, but its main rival Palestinian faction, Fatah, along with Israel and the international community, refused to recognise the result. Ever since, they have worked to undermine Hamas rule in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Although the Hamas political presence in the West Bank has been reduced dramatically, with elected politicians being arrested and detained by the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority as well as Israel, the Islamic movement pre-empted an attempted coup in the Gaza Strip and has been the de facto government there for the past 10 years. Israel and Egypt, with backing from the international community, continue to impose a strict siege on Gaza, during which Israel has launched three major offensives against the Palestinians in Gaza, killing and wounding thousands of men, women and children.