Understanding the Complexity of Palestinian Elections and Hamas in Gaza

Claims that the majority of Palestinians in Gaza elected Hamas and support its actions towards Israel lack important historical context. While Hamas did win the 2006 election in Gaza, it was not by a majority of votes, but rather a majority of seats in the legislature. The reasons for Hamas' electoral success included campaign promises of change and reform, as well as widespread discontent with corruption among Fatah leadership. It is important to note that almost half of the current population in Gaza could not vote in 2006 due to their age, and the views of Palestinians have shifted over time. Recent survey data shows varying levels of support for Hamas, with some Palestinians expressing trust in the group while others do not. The lack of recent elections in the Palestinian territories is attributed to factors such as international rejection of Hamas, fear of losing elections by Fatah, and Israeli intervention.