Hamas Emerging As Strong Political Force
By ALI DARAGHMEH,
Associated Press Writer
Fri May 6, 5:51 PM ET

QALQILIYA, West Bank - The Islamic militants of Hamas won nearly a third of the West Bank and Gaza towns up for grabs in local elections, unofficial results said Friday, cementing the group as a significant political force as Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas tries to make peace with Israel.

Abbas' corruption-tainted Fatah' movement, which had feared defeat, did better than expected and held on to control over most of the area, winning in 45 of 84 communities. But he will no longer be able to ignore Hamas, which has long opposed negotiations with Israel.

Thousands of flag-waving Hamas supporters took to the streets, shooting off fireworks, handing out candy and honking car horns. In Qalqiliya, a West Bank town of 45,000 on the frontier with Israel, the green Hamas banner was hoisted over city hall as the group swept all 15 local council seats.

Hamas candidates also won control of the two other biggest towns holding elections, Rafah and Beit Lahiya in Gaza.

The election — the third round of local voting by Palestinians this year — was the final test for Abbas before parliamentary elections in July that could add to pressures to bring Hamas into the Palestinian administration

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/israel_palestinians

Wonder who won here Mr Bush, I think it was Hamas