In June, 1982, an attempt on the life of Israel’s ambassador to Great Britain by Abu Nidal’s group provided the pretext for a massive invasion of Lebanon. The attack, including a devastating bombing of Beirut and the slaughter at Sabra and Shatilla refugee camps, finally ended when the last Israeli troops pulled out 18 years later, leaving some 17,500 Lebanese dead, mostly civilians.

Response to the Palestinian elections in America has been largely negative or confused. Two points, however, seem clear:

1. Despite the most difficult conditions, the elections were clean, efficient and nonviolent. Fortunately, President Mahmoud Abbas did not bow to pressure from President Bush and Congress to ban Hamas candidates, which would have undermined their legitimacy. Instead, the people were allowed to speak and American attempts to predetermine the election outcome in favor of Fatah can be seen as counterproductive.