Hamas Officially Announces Participation in Upcoming Elections
After the Devastation… By What Mandate Does Hamas Seek to Return Through the Ballot Box?
After the devastating war that has ravaged the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2013, resulting in a staggering number of casualties, widespread destruction of infrastructure, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands, a crucial political and ethical question arises: How can Hamas now seek a new electoral mandate?
Any discussion of elections cannot be separated from the reality experienced by Gaza’s residents. The cities and neighborhoods reduced to rubble, the families who lost loved ones and their homes, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Strip make any discourse about “victory” or seeking to renew legitimacy through elections highly controversial.
From the perspective of the movement’s critics, Hamas, as the governing power in the Gaza Strip for years and a key player in the conflict with Israel, bears political responsibility for the decisions that preceded the war and its catastrophic consequences, even while acknowledging that Israel bears significant responsibility for the destruction and casualties due to its military operations. These observers believe that anyone seeking the voters’ trust again must first offer a frank review of their experience and answer questions about the cost of the choices they made.
If elections are held, they should be an opportunity to hold all Palestinian factions accountable, not to renew legitimacy through slogans. People don’t vote solely based on rhetoric, but also on the record of governance, the ability to protect civilians, achieve stability, and safeguard the future of generations.
The Palestinian people alone have the right to determine their representatives through free and fair elections. However, any participation by Hamas in these elections should naturally be accompanied by a broad discussion about its record in government, the repercussions of the war, and the future of the Gaza Strip after one of the most destructive wars in its history.
Ultimately, political legitimacy is not gained through slogans, but through the people’s trust. This trust can only be granted through free elections, after the voters have evaluated the experience with all its achievements and failures.
