In late July 2008, Hamas held secret elections for the Shura Council,
meant
to advise the leadership and draft strategy. The council approved Hamas's
participation in Palestinian Legislative Council elections in 2006, in which
the ruling Fatah movement was routed. The council was meant to hold
elections every three years.
The sources said Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, a Saudi backer, was
elected to the 60-member body, as well as the political bureau. They said
Haniyeh's election was regarded as a watershed for the anti-Iranian faction
in Hamas.
"This was an election in which more than 40,000 people voted so
Haniyeh's victory was regarded as a significant achievement for the Sunni
faction," the source said.
The sources said Haniyeh won more votes than any other contender. They
did not provide figures.
Hamas has acknowledged that the council, said to convene twice a year,
underwent recent elections limited to the Gaza Strip. But the movement,
citing security considerations, has refused to announce the winners.
"They are often elected from political and military bodies," Hamas
spokesman Salah Al Bardawil said.
Al Bardawil said the council could be expanded by another 10 members. He
said there would be separate elections in the West Bank and in Palestinian
communities throughout the world.
"Each constituency has its own policies and picks appropriate dates for
elections," Al Bardawil said.
The sources said Haniyeh trounced pro-Iranian members of Hamas. They
cited former Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar, Interior Minister Said Siyyam
and Hamas military chief Ahmed Jaabari, all of whom were elected to the
council and political bureau.
This was the first time military personnel were elected to the body,
divided into advisory and administrative wings. In addition to Jaabari,
Ahmed Ghandour and Marwan Issa were appointed to the Shura Council and
political bureau.
The sources said Haniyeh has become the conduit for Saudi funding. They
said Haniyeh was welcomed throughout the Arab world while Hamas chief Khaled
Masha'al was forced to lower his profile amid threats of assassination by
anti-Iranian forces.
Others elected to the council and political bureau were identified as
Khalil Al Haya, Nizar Rayan and Issa Al Nashar. Al Nashar was a former
council member who failed in previous reelection efforts. A major figure
that lost the election was Jamal Abu Hashem.
Veteran Hamas members lost their positions in the latest elections. They
were not identified.
The sources said Iran has been wooing Haniyeh amid his rise in stature.
Palestinian sources said Haniyeh has been in contact with Iranian leaders on
strategy and was invited to Teheran in 2008.
On Sept. 17, Haniyeh received a telephone call from Iranian
parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, regarded as close to the leadership. The
sources said Larijani urged Haniyeh to oppose any Egyptian proposal to
deploy a pan-Arab force in the Gaza Strip. Iran has planned to stage rallies
throughout the Muslim world to oppose the Egyptian plan.
"Haniyeh regretted that the Arab League had been ready to dispatch
forces to the Gaza Strip during their recent meeting," Larijani said later.