Here’s the CNN article

I don’t think any candidate could solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without intense struggle. So on that note, Mahmoud Abbas is probably the best choice they have at the moment. If we remember correctly, Abbas once served as Prime Minister under Arafat, but quit because Arafat would not hand over the reins of power to him.

That seems to give the hint to me that he’s a man willing to cause some change. Now that he’s at the head, let’s see what he can do.

He won by a pretty clear margin. Exit polls indicate by about 66% on a 65% turnout, a clear victory for him. But most importantly…

Palestinian leaders called the election, which took place at 1,077 polling sites, the most transparent in modern Arab history.

Despite worries about potential violence among Palestinian factions or problems with Israeli roadblocks, Palestinians, Israelis, and international observers said the election went relatively smoothly.

Hopefully we will see that same kind of transparency and lack of violence in the upcoming Iraqi elections.

There are conflicting reports shown in this article about whether or not Israel disrupted the elections at all. Palestinian Cabinet Minister notes:

“The polling booths went extremely well and very strict in terms of procedures, very transparent and lots of observers.”

And Sha’ath said Israel “never intervened near the polling booths or tried to coerce people to vote in a certain way or not to vote.”

That’s good to hear from a cabinet minister in the Palestinian government. The Central Election Commission, and Jimmy Carter, seem to think otherwise.

The CEC said Israel obstructed the media from entering Jerusalem and stopped a translator working for the commission at gunpoint as he tried to vote.

Given that Israel extended the vote time in East Jerusalem, I’d bet a penny there are both some real and bogus claims going down by both sides. It’s nice to see them both so optimistic though.

After voting, Abbas said: “The democratic process is taking place, and is in good shape. If this proves anything, it proves that the Palestinians are up to participating in a democracy.”

Indeed. And if not, Israel is going to have to take the initiative, withdraw, and close its borders without negotation.

Added: CNN has another article about Abbas. Who is Mahmoud Abbas?