US Congress opposes Hamas? role in Palestinian vote

he U.S. Congress passed a resolution which rejects HAMAS’ participation in the Palestinian parliamentary election, Reuters reported.

The resolution, passed 397-17, states that "Hamas should not be permitted to participate in Palestinian elections until it recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, cease incitement, condemn terrorism, and permanently disarm and dismantle their terrorists infrastructure."

It also threatens that any Hamas participation in the Palestinian government "will potentially undermine the ability of the United States to have a constructive relationship with or provide further assistance to the Palestinian Authority."

Israel, which warned that it will end the already stalled peace talks if Hamas becomes a dominant political party, welcomed the Congress’ decision, and vowed to step up pressure on Palestinian President MAHMOUD ABBAS to ban Hamas from running in the January 25 poll.

On the other hand, Palestinian officials and Hamas members condemned the U.S.’s decision.

“The position of congress is not new and its completely biased to the Israeli occupation and in the same time it shows contradiction in the American policy," said Sheikh Said Siyam, a top Hamas leader in Gaza.

“The U.S. accused Iran of intervening in the Iraqi elections and in the same time it intervenes in the Palestinian elections and even non Palestinian elections,”

"The election is an internal Palestinian affair and a national and internal obligation. Neither America nor any other party has the right to intervene in this democratic process," Seyam added.

Fatah officials also confirmed that Hamas will run in the election despite the U.S.’s call.

"The legislative elections will be held as scheduled," Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for the Palestinian Authority, told Reuters. "The democratic right to participate in the election is guaranteed by law. We cannot exclude anybody."

Hamas, which is contesting the election for the first time, is expected to make a strong showing in next month’s election, after gaining the majority of votes in the West Bank’s municipal elections. The resistance group would also benefit from current divisions inside Abbas’ Fatah, which unless healed could damage the ruling party.

Israeli airstrikes

Israel launched a series of air strikes in the Gaza Strip early Sunday, wounding more than four Palestinians, including a baby who was hit in the face with shrapnel, medics said, according to Reuters news agency.

The victims, including two policemen, were wounded when Israeli warplanes fired at least nine missiles in the Beit Hanun and Beit Lahiya areas, Palestinian security sources said.

The Israeli army claimed its raids targeted sites used by Palestinian fighters to launch rockets into Israel.

The army also targeted main bridges in northern Gaza, cutting roads for thousands of people. And in Gaza City, Israeli warplanes carried out mock raids, shaking homes with deafening sonic booms.

Late Saturday, a top Palestinian fighter was killed when his car exploded near Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Three others were wounded in the explosion, according to Reuters.

Palestinian security sources identified the man as Khaled Abu Sitta, 25, a senior leader of the Abu el-Reesh Brigades.

The Israeli military denied any involvement in the attack. But Abu el-Reesh Brigades said an Israeli missile struck Sitta’s car, killing him instantly.

The group also vowed to avenge the killing. "We do not forget the blood of our martyrs and our reaction will be strong and painful,” said Abu Haron, a spokesman Abu el-Reesh Brigades, which is linked to the ruling Fatah party of Palestinian President MAHMOUD ABBAS.

Also Saturday, Israel confirmed that it shot dead a suspect near the Erez Crossing in northern Gaza, claiming that he was trying to plant a bomb.

"The troops saw that he was dealing with various wires and, suspecting that he was planting a bomb, they opened fire at him and identified a hit," an army spokeswoman said.

In the West Bank, the Israeli military said it arrested nine Hamas members.

Eight men were arrested near the southern West Bank city of Hebron and the ninth in Bethlehem, the official said, according to AFP.

Israel has stepped up its military operations against Palestinian resistance fighters since the Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in the coastal city of Netanya earlier this month.

Earlier this week, more than four Palestinians were killed and several others wounded in Israeli air raids in the Gaza Strip.

Analysts say that another cycle of violence would be politically damaging to both President ABBAS and Israeli Prime Minister ARIEL SHARON.

Abbas is struggling to instill order ahead of the legislative election, while Sharon is seeking re-election in March as head of a new centrist party he recently founded.