Hamas wins

Hamas, the humanitarian organization which delivers health and welfare services to Gaza and the West Bank, and oh, by the way, is committed to the destruction of the state of Israel, has won yesterday's Palestinian election.

A couple of thoughts out of the gate:

- There was much shock and confusion at Ariel Sharon's withdrawal from Gaza and his refusal to condone more Israeli settlements on the West Bank last summer. It was seen as a puzzling move for the leading Israeli hawk. However, some commentators suggested it was his way of saying to the world, "You want to see what a Palestinian state will look like? Just wait and see". I think that hypothesis has been proven at least somewhat correct. Until yesterday, with the opening Sharon had provided, it appeared that the Middle East peace process was really and truly getting somewhere. No longer. This morning, it's clear that the majority of Palestinians do not want peace.

- The next Israeli election is Likud's Benjamin Netanyahu's to lose.

More later.