Thursday, January 18, 2007

Looks Like Hamas Has This Democracy Thing Down Pat

From the Washington Post on the shutting down of the Palestinian Parliament:
Tuesday's session was to have been the first in four months. It was canceled because a dozen Hamas legislators preferred to go on a trip to Indonesia instead, and the deputy speaker believed he wouldn't get a quorum of at least 67 out of 132 lawmakers.

The extended break has largely gone unnoticed by a jaded public. Polls indicate that after years of inaction by the lawmakers, Palestinians don't have much faith in parliament.

"The public doesn't feel the absence of the legislative council because ... it didn't do its job," said political scientist Ali Jerbawi.

...The legislature hasn't passed any laws since Hamas' election, and the last full session was held in September. [emphasis added]
According to the article, under the corrupt Fatah more work was done by the legislature than under Hamas.

Technorati Tag: .

No comments: