The people have spoken

In democratic elections, two lefts don't make a right | Mark Bergin, Les Sillars, Jill Nelson

Reigning in terrorists

Palestinian voters hand Hamas a clear majority

In the first parliamentary election in a decade, Palestinians went to the polls on Jan. 25 knowing that the outcome would likely integrate Islamic militants into Palestinian politics for the first time. The Fatah party dominated prior elections, but this time around Hamas was ascending into popularity while Fatah was battling corruption and lawlessness. Fatah's already-tainted image worsened the day before the election when Fatah gunmen shot and killed 44-year-old Abu Ahmen Hassouna, a Fatah candidate in the election. Relatives of the victim said he was shot after scolding the gunmen for firing at campaign posters plastered on his house.