Israel shocked by Hamas triumph

The victory of Hamas in Palestinian elections has been greeted with dismay in Israel, where the militant group has staged dozens of suicide attacks, the BBC's Richard Miron reports from Jerusalem.

Interim Israeli PM Ehud Olmert says he won't talk to Hamas

A senior member of Hamas has said that the world should not be afraid of the organisation which has swept to dramatic victory in the polls for a new Palestinian parliament.

But in Israel, there is considerable anxiety about Hamas, which calls in its charter for the destruction of the Jewish state.

The reaction in central Jerusalem is downbeat at the news that the organisation responsible for numerous bombings, many in this vicinity, is to become the next Palestinian government.

"I think it's a terrible thing," one man said.

"It's the consequence of [Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon's policy after leaving Gaza, and now we have Gaza here in Jerusalem and in all the places we have Hamas and all these people."

'Hamastan'

Some Israeli politicians have reacted similarly.

Binyamin Netanyahu, the leader of the right-wing Likud Party, described the West Bank and Gaza as "Hamastan" - a renegade and violent territory on Israel's doorstep.

The key words from the Israeli perspective should be responsibility and accountability Moti Cristal

Both left and right in Israel view the election result as a potential threat and a definite challenge.

The Israeli government has said it will not conduct any negotiations with the Palestinian government if it includes any members of what it terms an armed terror organisation.

And the Israeli defence minister is insisting that Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas disarms militants.

But Moti Cristal, a former negotiator in peace talks with the Palestinians, believes that Israel should wait to see how Hamas acts before making any response.

"For Israel, it's the first time that it might find on the other side a partner which can deliver, and from a negotiation point of view this is the most important thing," Mr Cristal says.

"So, the key words from the Israeli perspective should be responsibility and accountability.

"Hamas will be held accountable and should be responsible for whatever happens in the West Bank and Gaza," he says.

Opportunity?

Some commentators here are suggesting that this election result will affect the forthcoming Israeli ballot due in March, potentially bolstering the standing of the right-wing.

For most Israelis in Jerusalem the mood is gloomy, but for a few like Dudi Greenbaum, Hamas' victory may offer an opportunity.

"It's like in Israel." he says. "The right make the peace all the time. And the left can't do it. It's the same there. Maybe it will be better."

For all here the election results have cast politics into the unknown.