Hamas has praised PA leader Abbas for asserting his commitment to true democracy in Palestine. During his joint press conference with visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Ramallah on Monday, Abbas disappointed both the Americans and the Israelis when he vowed to "let the Palestinian people decide."In response to a question from an American journalist on how he would view the possibility of further gains by Hamas in the upcoming Palestinian mayoral and legislative elections, Abbas said he would do nothing to forestall a victory by Hamas in the elections. "We have adopted the democratic system and we shall not intervene in favor or against any faction, the Palestinian people is free to choose its representatives, and my government shall not intervene to prevent any faction from wining or losing. The people will decide."
"We are quite happy about his tone, and we hope that we will continue to work with the President for the collective good of the Palestinian people," said Yousuf. The increasingly positive chemistry between Abbas and Hamas is likely to strengthen a growing moderate trend within Hamas. This, some observers contend, might eventually lead to the transformation of Hamas from a "spoiler movement," as many had come to view it, into a responsible democratic opposition serving, rather than undermining, the cause of freedom and independence in Palestine.