Hamas win democratic elections

" Our commitment to democracy is also tested in the Middle East, which is my focus today, and must be a focus of American policy for decades to come. In many nations of the Middle East -- countries of great strategic importance -- democracy has not yet taken root. And the questions arise: Are the peoples of the Middle East somehow beyond the reach of liberty? Are millions of men and women and children condemned by history or culture to live in despotism? Are they alone never to know freedom, and never even to have a choice in the matter? I, for one, do not believe it. I believe every person has the ability and the right to be free." President Bush

US/UK finally succeed in bringing democracy to the Middle East (if we, for a second, forget the Israeli interference)?

Apparently not:

"Israel's acting prime minister, Ehud Olmert, joined the US, Britain and other countries in calling on the Islamist group, which has killed hundreds of people in suicide bombings, to renounce violence and its goal of destroying Israel if it wants international recognition.

"If a government led by Hamas or in which Hamas is a coalition partner is established, the Palestinian Authority will turn into an authority that supports terror," said Mr Olmert. "Israel and the world will ignore it and make it irrelevant."

The Irish Times makes it's 'liberal' credentials clear:

"The Palestinian president and leader of Fatah, Mahmoud Abbas, responded quickly and it will soon be seen whether a coherent government can be formed. The real worry is that there may be no point in asking Hamas to change because the Palestinian people voted for an agenda of hate - not negotiation."

Who is that last sentence attributable to?

The latest poll asks "Is this the end of the Middle East peace process?"

One would be forgiven for wondering, "What Middle East peace protest?"

Politicians in Britain say Hamas must now renounce violence and it's illegal attacks on a sovereign nation.

Yesterday a Question Time audience member asked "Should Hamas listen to this sound advice or should it follow the lead of the British government and illegally invade Iraq?" The question was ignored.

Tony Blair recognises the problem:

"Of course, we recognise the mandate for Hamas, because the people have spoken in a particular way in the Palestinian Authority, but I think it is also important for Hamas to understand that there comes a point where they have to decide between a path of democracy or a path of violence."

But no one has called for Israel's recognition of Palestine, it's renunciation of violence and it's commitment to peace.