Free Republic

THE U.S. AGENDA to promote democracy in the Middle East appears fatally wounded. The results of recent elections in Iraq, Egypt and especially Gaza and the West Bank have led many to conclude that this agenda is terribly misguided: wonderful in theory but disastrous in practice, enabling the most dangerous and antidemocratic elements in the region to gain power through democratic means. If true, this is certainly a worrisome turn of events. Can the skeptics be right? Is it simply too dangerous to promote freedom in the Arab world? Must the United States give up on promoting democracy and go...

Hamas’ pledge to “exterminate the Jewish pestilence” swept the party to victory in the Palestinian elections. Dozens of Hamas supporters were killed in the exuberant celebrations following the announcement of voting results. “We provided weapons in anticipation they would be used to exterminate Jewish scum,” said a shaken Hamas spokesman Sheikh Yasser Mansour. “Obviously, more training is needed.” Most of the dead were victims of stray gunfire. Six were killed when some of this errant gunfire struck a bomb repository. The Hamas Party platform calls for open borders with Israel and pledges to equip munitions kiosks with firearms and explosives....