A New Chairman

There is finally reason for optimism in the Middle East. Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have successfully and democratically conducted the critical transition to the post-Arafat era. They voted in large numbers, ignoring the advice of terrorist organization such as Hamas, and chose a statesman committed to a peaceful resolution with Israel. In his victory speech, Mahmoud Abbas, who won two-thirds of the vote, declared that his people are now ready to resume talks with Israel. We are hopeful that this election signals the beginning of a new phase of resolution.

Nevertheless, for Abbas, the elections were the easy part; the real challenges are yet to come. Chairman Abbas is taking on one of the most difficult jobs in the world. On the one hand, he has to maintain popular support by reforming the Palestinian Authority and orchestrating a strategy that can put an end to Israeli military occupation. On the other hand he has to prove tough against militants to guarantee the cooperation of Israel and the United States.

While it may be impossible for the new government under Abbas, with its damaged security infrastructure, to dismantle militant factions by force, we find Abbas’ approach promising. Through a negotiated cease-fire with Palestinian militants, Abbas can buy time until prospects of a concrete peace plan with Israel emerge and until the Palestinian Authority attains enough power to confront militants head-on. Such steps are needed to avoid a Palestinian civil war, and Abbas’ approach, while imperfect, deserves a chance.

The most heartening development in the election was the high Palestinian voter turnout. This hints that the popularity of organizations such as Hamas, which called on its supporters to boycott the presidential elections, is waning. The government of Israel should do its best to encourage this moderate movement in the Palestinian territories by limiting friction between its military forces and the Palestinian population wherever possible. For his part, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s withdrawal plan from Gaza and the subsequent political realignment of his government indicate a shift in recent months. Israel’s shift away from radicalism and towards pragmatism is heartening. Israel should declare its withdrawal from Gaza part of a multilateral agreement to bring both parties back to the negotiating table and back on track toward peace and reconciliation.

As for Abbas, we hope he remains committed to his declared anti-violent stance and to accelerating reform in the Palestinian Authority. We expect that his choice of future government officials and cabinet members be based on their qualifications and capacities to serve the interests of their people—not their allegiances to political, family or tribal affiliations. Only this kind of government can properly build a healthy foundation of a free, democratic, prosperous, and peaceful state.

It was images from the West Bank and Gaza of Palestinian casualties and losses that served to inspire hate and rage against Israel and the United States in the Arab world. This time, images from the West Bank and Gaza of people standing in lines waiting to cast their votes will work in the opposite direction and transmit the notion that democracy and reform are within reach.

As Arabs throughout the Middle East witness the emergence of a new Palestinian leader who gained credibility and obtained power not by a violent coup or a monarchical nepotism but rather by popular vote, they will begin to question the established traditions of authority. It seems as if a new day has dawned for the Palestinians, and with sufficient international support and investment—such as President Bush’s invitation for Abbas to visit the White House and his promise to increase economic aid to the Palestinians—it can become a new day for Israelis and the rest of the greater Middle East as well.