Hamas willing to get involved in Parliament

The basis for a fully-fledged Palestinian democracy is slowly coming together. CNN reports that Hamas has made a statement that it is planning on taking part in the upcoming parliamentary election. This is a major sign that the militant group is becoming more willing to cooperate with the new Palestinian Authority under President Mahmoud Abbas, considered to be a moderate by Israel and the West.

Hamas' stance reflects efforts by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to promote peace and stability in the West Bank and Gaza and influence militant groups to promote a cease-fire.

Whatever Abbas is doing, it seems to be working. It is obvious that he truly wants to get all parties involved in the new Palestinian government. Hamas, although a violent group, does hold significant sway over the hearts and minds of many in the West Bank and Gaza. Abbas undoubtedly knows this and must realize that it is better to get them involved in a constructive, political setting rather than leave them on the street to their own devices, which would lead to further disunity among the Palestinian factions and a grim future for the territories in the face of a determined Israel.

It is also interesting to note that having Hamas be more involved in politics (alongside moderate voices of course), as opposed to terror, may not be such a bad thing for Palestinian internal affairs. Hamas is well-known to be a promoter of social welfare and reconstruction in the territories, drawing upon significant financing from all over the region.

BBC News published an article last year on deceased Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who was killed in an Israeli rocket attack. It touched upon Hamas' philanthropist activities towards the end.

Hamas has been able to build support by offering material help to Palestinians suffering economic hardship during the latest intifada.

It has established charitable funds to establish schools, clinics and hospitals that provide free services to families in distress and has been able to attract millions of dollars from the Gulf and elsewhere.

Perhaps Hamas' resources, and reputation among disenfranchised Palestinians, would be useful for the Palestinian government to exploit once Hamas gets more involved in politics on a parliamentary level. Of course, the extremist indoctrination that often follows the establishment of a school or a hospital would have to be cut from the equation somehow. Yet the thought of Palestinian factions working together to bring people up from destitution sounds too good to pass up. As wretched as Hamas's ideology may be, they could also serve as a force for progress. And once the majority of Palestinians are happy with their lives, maybe those who sympathize with Hamas will throw off the shackles of a militant mindset and choose the true path of peace and cooperation like so many of their Arab brethern are doing right now from Beirut to Baghdad.