Hamas have won the first Palestinian elections in 10 years bringing with their success a serious concern for Israel. Scuffles occurred between Hamas and Fatah members after it became clear the political movement had won. Hamas is considered to be a terrorist organisation by the White House. George Bush, however, praised the elections, calling them a success, but said it was a wake up call for Hamas to make a choice between democracy and violence. “I don’t see how you can be a partner in peace if your party has an armed wing…I will continue to remind people, if your platform is the destruction of Israel then you’re not a partner of peace,” the President said at a lunchtime press conference in Washington. UN Secretary General, Kofie Anaan also called on the group to renounce violence and to disarm. Britain’s Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also called on Hamas to rethink their hostility towards Israel. Hamas have often called on the destruction of the state of Israel. Israel has yet to respond officially to this historic win, but their reaction is likely to be one of condemnation and criticism. [Sky News / BBC /CNN]
[16:42 GMT 26/01/2006]
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