Fried Peace agreement with a side of freedom fries!

Hamas. The sound of the name is enought to fill many with dread. They have been known for years as a brutal terrorist regime that advocates the destruction of the state of Israel. They franchised the use of suicide bombing in terror campaigns, and made the world fear them.

Today, it seems they are going to be running the country. The Paelstinian people have voted in massive numbers and have given a very impressive majority of the seats in the legislature to Hamas. In total about 76 of the 132 seats are going to the (former?) terrorist organization. It remains to be seen whether Hamas can lead without resorting to old and ingrained tactics.

CNN has this story detailing what is now known about the vote and it's ramifications. It looks like there is going to be some serious sould searching going on throughout the middle east in the coming months. Israel, for certain, is going to be severely on edge.

The old guard Fatah movement, long seen as the only power structure in the occupied palestinian territories has obviously lost touch with it's electorate. That much has been in evidence for at least the last few years. This vote puts a new nail in the coffin of Fatah.

I had heard that, in the months and even possibly years leading up to this vote that Hamas had been providing much of the civic leadership for many towns and villages in the territories. This new government will be tested early and often by the international community to see how legitimacy might create more social responsibility. I am concerned with the outcome. I am not sure that the new rulers will be able to keep the peace. I am hopeful that the changes that occured last night will not prove to be ill. What else is there but hope?

I know that the Palestinians were getting sick and tired of not being heard by their own government. I know that they feel more represented by Hamas which they see as good actor in their civic leadership. I can only pray that Hamas' leadership sees this as an opportunity to progress beyond armed conflict and into the light of international community. Let us all hope that they do.