How Will Hamas Rule?

Many Israelis might disagree. Until Hamas proves that it is committed to restraint, it's likely that Israel will continue the policy of unilaterally establishing permanent borders to separate itself from the Palestinians. Signs that the Palestinians are building a fundamentalist society on their side of the line won't do much to bolster Israeli interest in a negotiated peace. That may be why Hamas leaders like Sheik al-Bitawi are sounding conciliatory. "There are good things in Europe and the U.S.: civilization, democracy, medical care," he says. "But there are also bad things: divorce, drugs, murder. We hope that the positive things in the West can combine with the positive things we have in Islam. This is our vision." The world is waiting to see it in action.