Does anyone else wonder if Hamas would have won without GWB's war?

[cyberpj]

I think he did nothing but stir up the Palastinians and unite them.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. I agree with you completely.. the U.S. used to have double digit

approval ratings in the polls taken in many/most Arab nations.... can you say "single digit" as of late???

[punpirate]

2. Not necessarily...

... Fatah has been seen as increasingly corrupt by many Palestinians, and too willing to give up matters of essential importance to Palestinians in exchange for cooperation from Israel on smaller issues. In one sense (that of increasing Palestinian police repression to satisfy Israeli demands for security in exchange for diminishing amounts of land), Palestinians are coming to think of Fatah as collaborating with Israel, rather than resisting it. That's the legacy left by Arafat, and the Palestinian vote reflects this dissatisfaction.

The Iraq invasion may have played a small part, but not a major one. The Palestinians now have some empathy for the Iraqis, but still see their situation regarding occupation as unique--particularly because they feel their interests have been ignored by all sides. If Bush has influenced this election in any way, it's because of his open support of Sharon and of a peace plan which is heavily weighted toward Israel's interests and which, for that reason, is destined to fail, just as the Oslo accord was destined to fail.

Hamas has likely done as well as it has because Fatah is now seen as having abandoned the core political principles of Palestinians, not because Bush invaded Iraq.

[cyberpj]

4. Thanks for useful input. So much is happening right now. nt

[alfredo]

5. Having bush financing Fatah's campaign didn't help either.

This result should be laid at bush's doorstep.

[nomaco-10]

3. I think it has alot to do with Sharon's stroke as well....

I think they may be fearful that Netanyahu may be Isreal's next Prime Minister, as well they should be.