Consequences of Democratization in the Palestinian Authority

A major political-strategic objective of Hamas since its creation has been to institutionalize itself as an alternative to Fatah as the dominant force, first in the PLO and thereafter in the Palestinian Authority, as well. As an intermediate goal, Hamas leaders during the first intifada sought to be incorporated into the PLO, on condition that they be given 40% representation in PLO institutions. That demand was grounded in the degree of support among the population in the West Bank and Gaza claimed by the movement’s leaders, and it became a constant feature in the list of conditions put forward in ongoing Fatah-Hamas talks, particularly the discussions in the latter stages of the second intifada aimed at limiting the violence of the “armed struggle.” For its part, Fatah consistently rejected the demand to confer on Hamas the status of influential partner in the PA, even though that could have reduced the incidence of terrorism and strengthened the PA’s international standing.