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  Hamas Candidates Part of Israeli Roundup
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ContributorPenguin 
Last EditedPenguin  Sep 27, 2005 11:21pm
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MediaWebsite - Yahoo News
News DateWednesday, September 28, 2005 05:00:00 AM UTC0:0
DescriptionBy MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 44 minutes ago

RAMALLAH, West Bank - The Israeli military has rounded up 379 militant activists, including dozens of electoral candidates from Hamas, prompting accusations that Israel is using a weekend truce breach as an excuse to crush the Islamic group before upcoming Palestinian elections.

The arrest sweep in the West Bank — the biggest in three years and part of a new offensive against Hamas — came after Israel failed to win international backing for its demand that the militant organization be barred from the Jan. 25 parliamentary vote.

Israel says a government that includes Hamas, which calls for the destruction of the Jewish state, would threaten peace prospects. But letting Hamas contest elections is the cornerstone of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' plan to tame the group, and the
Palestinian Authority believes it will be the main loser in the Israel-Hamas showdown.

The arrests, made over three days, are generating sympathy for Hamas and could further improve its strong electoral prospects. Abbas' ruling Fatah movement is widely perceived as corrupt, and many Palestinians say they will vote for Hamas to teach Fatah a lesson and get better government services. Many view Hamas as a much more disciplined organization that could bring order to the chaotic Gaza Strip.

On the other hand, if Israel arrests more candidates than Hamas can replace, it might decide to bow out of the election, a step that could lead to the cancellation of the vote and further undermine Abbas' claim to leadership.

"The Israeli interference is only complicating the situation for the Palestinian Authority," said Palestinian Planning Minister Ghassan Khatib.
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