For the last 10 years, Hamas (Group Profile) has been positioning itself for when it would be able to exert the influence it has gain with the Palestinian population in Gaza. After Arafat?s death (WAR Report and WAR Report), the old guard of his Fatah (Group Profile) movement was not going to share power. Hamas and Islamic Jihad have called on Mahmoud Abbas, the new leader of the PLO, for a united leadership until elections are held in January. While Abbas has met and talked with leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, he has no intention of any power sharing agreements. Khaled Mishaal, the current Hamas leader, stated that the Palestinian people would only accept a unified leadership that would provide for their rights.

While the elections in January are to elect a new president, Hamas is seeking legislative and local elections to be held then as well. Hamas is strongest in these two latter concerns, and it has a chance to add a voice to the legislature where it can continue to be a vocal critic of Fatah. While Arafat had been the glue to hold Fatah together, Hamas has never been able to able to mount a challenge to Fatah. In the short term, that will not change. However, this is a long struggle for Hamas, and for the first time, they will field a slate of candidates. Hamas knows that they do not have the ability to win the presidency. And, after all if a Hamas candidate were to capture the presidency, he might have to interact with Israel , which is against Hamas? charter.

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