Professor says Palestinians hopeful Jan. 9 election will bring change

Published: 2005-01-03

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) -- Palestinians are hopeful that the Jan. 9 presidential election will bring about a change in the political and social spheres, said a Bethlehem University political science professor. "After the death of (Palestinian leader Yasser) Arafat, the people are realizing that maybe Arafat was an impediment for the Israelis and the United States, and they are hopeful that if the impediment is no longer there is a chance to see a normalization of their living conditions," said the professor, Manuel Hassassian, an Armenian Catholic. With the leading candidate for the presidency, Mahmoud Abbas, acceptable to the United States and Israel, there is a "mood of optimism" among Palestinians who believe his less militaristic public stance will have a favorable effect on their lives, he said. "We are at a crossroads, testing the waters. It is important to see both now and after (the election) how things fall into place," said Hassassian. "We want free and open elections."

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