Broad consensus exists that Hamas must choose democracy and abandon terrorism. In the January 26 Washington Post, the editors write, “If Hamas will not meet that condition [of renouncing violence and choosing democracy], then it should be condemned to governing Gaza and the West Bank in diplomatic isolation, without European, U.S. or World Bank aid.” The editors refer to polling that indicates Palestinian voters elected Hamas not because of their support of terrorism, but because the status quo and corrupt elements of Fatah were unacceptable.

The “Quartet”, a ministerial and expert level group of the US, EU, Russia, and the UN, released a statement noting that “there is a fundamental contradiction between armed group and militia activities and the building of a democratic state.”

NDI and the Carter Center in their preliminary report about the elections said that at first glance, they appeared to have been relatively free and fair. Expressing sentiment consistent with other groups, they warned, “We hope that the elections will mark a decisive move toward the renunciation of violence by all groups and toward addressing corruption and other issues that are central to improving the lives of Palestinians.”