Palestinians blaze trail of freedom

Valparaiso -- Arabs have no democratic traditions. They know only how to wield the AK-47, never the vote. Self-determination has no place within Islamic society. If Arabs do vote, they will only elect a militant Islamist regime that will sponsor terrorism and ensure no further voting takes place.\nMany have uttered these platitudes in reference to the Middle East. Arab dictators such as Hosni Mubarak of Egypt use this line of thinking to justify Western support, warning that they guard the gates on chaotic societies that will spawn Arab versions of the Iranian or Taliban theocracies if allowed suffrage. Most recently, Osama bin Laden demanded Palestinians and Iraqis boycott their respective elections on the grounds that democracy cannot mesh with Islam because it hoists the will of the people above the will of God.\nLast Sunday's Palestinian elections proved all of these critics laughably wrong. Despite early reports of low turnout because of complications with Israeli roadblocks, eventual turnout was about two-thirds of the potential electorate. The ballot-boxing also followed a vibrant campaign where the candidates genuinely excited followers on a diverse range of platforms. In the end, Mahmoud Abbas, the reformist-minded leader who seeks above all else peace with Israel, won resoundingly with 62.3 percent of the vote, according to the Palestinian Election Commission.\nDespite the degree of rhetoric put forth by the White House encouraging democracy in the Middle East, the Palestinian people did not vote to satisfy President Bush's dream. The Washington Post quoted Nihaya Mohammed, a medical secretary and 25-year-old Abbas supporter, as saying, "All we want is someone that can improve our situation." \nIn essence, the Palestinian people have tired of rhetorical promises of violent resistance by groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad. More importantly, they realize suicide bombings and attacks on Israeli soldiers have achieved nothing for them; they realize only a strong, stable democratic state will improve their lives.\nThey probably would not have elected a militant or the most anti-Western candidate. Indeed, the Palestinians elected the most moderate individual ever to lead them. Those in Washington, Riyadh and Cairo might need to find new justification for a relationship that supports tyranny. Clearly, Arab democracy has the ability to unify and pacify a nation, as opposed to the radicalization and instability some Arab dictatorships breed so well.\nDespite the calls from Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Osama bin Laden to boycott the polls, an impressive number of voters turned out for a society with an understandable degree of disillusionment. The militant Palestinian groups also did not physically block voters from the polls or engage in violence, perhaps mindful that the moderate Palestinians who now seem to rule Palestine Authority hold much more power than they can wield through terrorist attacks. \nAnd, unfortunately for bin Laden, democracy and Islam do mix. Individuals such as Tayyip Erdogan, the Islamist leader of the strongly democratic Turkish nation, prove this to the world. The relatively religious Palestinian people have now brought that message to the Arab world, and it is up to Abbas to cement their example.\nAbbas certainly has a number of huge obstacles ahead of him, namely the continuing opposition of militant groups and the weakness of the central Palestinian government. But my optimism lies in the fact that in a land with a history of such pain, Sunday gave the Palestinians the best chance at peace in a very long time.\nAs the Iraqi elections approach the end of the month, we should keep last Sunday's success in mind. While many more problems plague Iraq's road to self-determination, the Palestinians have certainly charted part of that journey. \nCongratulations to the Palestinian people on their newfound liberty, and the best of luck to Abbas in his profoundly challenging mission.