The authority Hamas wields, stems from a modest and seldom seriously-debated or disputed January 2006 PA election victory. She has from her inception, sought no more than the democratic right the United Nations Organisation (and indeed her forebear and exemplar, the League of Nations) have long proclaimed and recognise as optimal – for each and every nation.
That rich and powerful interests began early in the piece to obstruct historic Palestine’s post WW1 Mandate promise; is well remembered. That this obstruction has been most contrary to the will and to the existential interests of her in-majority and disparate peoples – is also well documented.
Hamas is patient, is resolute and has shown herself to be open to negotiation. Specifically because she understands the imperative and the legitimacy that is associated with her goals. It is to be hoped now; after a period of extraordinarily vengeful and futile repression in particularly Gaza and the West Bank – that Palestine’s many dedicated champions will be both listened to and constructively engaged with.