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Palestinian political and military group Hamas have announced they will participate in parliamentary elections, a decision which may influence the political landscape in the Middle East. The election, to be held on July 17, will have major implications for ongoing peace negotiations with Israel, as well as relations with the Palestine Authority and ongoing the independence Palestinian struggle. Hamas is notorious internationally as an organisation that supports suicide bombings against Israel and targeted strikes against the military. However, many Palestinians regard Hamas favourably because of the large social and welfare function it performs in providing much-needed public infrastructure. The involvement of Hamas in the election is likely to put further pressure on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (pronounced MACHMOUD), who is overseeing a tenous ceasefire with Israel and floundering support for his own party, Fatah. Hamas swept local elections at the beginning of the year, winning 76 out of a total 116 seats. Ali Abunimah, founder of online Palestinian news service, Electronic Intifada, believes this success will translate to the parliamentary elections.

Electronic Intafada

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