Fatah fears Hamas election gains

RAMALLAH, West Bank – The Palestinians’ ruling Fatah movement, tainted by corruption and cronyism, is worried it will get trounced by upstart Hamas in parliamentary elections.

The Islamic militant group issued its challenge over the weekend, saying it will compete in the July 17 vote after avoiding a showdown the past decade.

Hamas has shown no signs it wants to bring down Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, and the violent movement, which has carried out attacks on Israelis since its founding in 1987, appears to be satisfied with transforming itself into a strong opposition party.

But if Hamas wins control of parliament or even a large chunk of the seats, it could hamper Abbas’ ability to negotiate a peace deal with Israel.

With political survival at stake, Fatah old-timers reluctantly have agreed to hold primaries to select candidates for parliament and even commissioned opinion polls in search of the most electable candidates – remarkable changes for a calcified movement that has dominated Palestinian politics for four decades.

But the makeover may come too late to attract disgruntled voters, judging by Hamas’ victory in local elections in 10 Gaza towns in January.

On Sunday, hundreds of Hamas and Fatah supporters threw sticks and chairs at each other at Hebron University in the West Bank. Fatah activists tried to break up a Hamas rally ahead of student council elections today.