According to Arab media, elements in the terrorist organization called for a change in the leadership structure and voting model • 4 commanders competing with Sinwar for the position of Hamas leader in Gaza
Sinwar and Haniyeh are candidates for a second term
Photo:
Reuters
Implicit criticism of Hamas over the internal election process.
Although the complex voting process is nearing completion, officials in the terrorist organization have criticized the way the vote is being conducted.
In the past, the election process was much more secretive.
Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper quoted a member of the terrorist organization as Yahya Musa on Facebook, in which he called for full democratization in Hamas.
Musa called for allowing each person to run, and to embrace the idea of a general conference representing an assembly.
The Hamas man also called for the integration of more women, trade union representatives, young people, members of the military and others.
Today, the election process is conducted in a gradual manner, with first the leadership of the territory, then the leadership of the region, and so on - up to the position of head of the political bureau.
Another Hamas commander named Ra'azi Hemed was quoted in the Arab newspaper as writing an article entitled "Hamas Elections: Between the Traditional Printing and the Required Innovation."
In this article, he called for a change in Hamas' traditional leadership structure: "The movement is required to stand seriously and examine its policies and performance," he wrote.
Last month, Hamas' internal election process began.
The first phase ended with the election of the leadership on the ground.
According to Arab media, the election has now reached the stage of electing the General Shura Council, which will take part in the election of members of the Hamas political bureau and will elect the leader of the terrorist organization in Gaza.
Yahya Sinwar is in office and it is not yet known if he will secure another term.
According to Palestinian reports, Politburo member Nazar Awadallah obtained a high number of votes in the early stages of the election and is now running against Sinwar for the post of Hamas leader in Gaza.
According to Palestinian sources quoted in the Al-Quds newspaper, three other commanders in the organization are running for office, including Fathi Hamad and Mahmoud a-Zahar.
At the same time, Hamas is expected to soon complete the election process of the new leadership in its strongholds in Arab countries and in Judea and Samaria.
At the end of the election rounds, the head of the political bureau and its members will also be elected.
The current head of the bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, is running for the post of head of the bureau against Khaled Mashaal.