Palestinian victory
The conclusion of the second presidential election in Palestine should be welcomed throughout the world. The high turnout and overwhelming support for Mahmoud Abbas provides the president- elect with a strong mandate needed to bring stability to an often embattled administration and overcome potential challenges to his leadership.
But the biggest accomplishment of this election was not Abbas' personal victory. The highest accolade goes to the Palestinian people.
Too frequently harangued for episodes of violence and internal fighting, Palestinians showed they were as mature and accomplished at the peaceful and orderly process of electoral democracy as any other modern state. With negligible reports of ballot incidents, the election was a welcome respite in a region glutted with bad news.
Guns may have been were fired, but it is heartening that they were fired into the air in celebration and not at each other. An orderly election and leadership transition is a major asset for an aspiring nation wishing to become a state.
As a faithful friend and loyal supporter of the Palestinian cause, Indonesians cheer the positive outcome of the elections. Having just recently gone through the process of elections, Indonesia understands too well the challenges and pitfalls hindering a successful outcome.
The Indonesian people also know that the next post-election step is for all political factions to reach out in cooperation.
We should welcome the remarks of Hamas leader Mahmud Zahar that his group would be "constructive, not destructive" toward the elected administration.
It is also heartening that the elected president seems to be a man who advocates peace, and places diplomacy over armed conflict in pursuing his country's goals.
Abbas is no stranger to Palestinian politics. His landslide victory over more hard-line candidates affirms the Palestinian people's support for diplomatic initiatives toward the creation of a Palestinian state.
The new president certainly has large shoes to fill, and Abbas may well learn from his predecessors.
The late Yasser Arafat was an icon, a man larger than life who, after decades of personal struggle embodied the Palestinian spirit. The Middle East has given birth to many men of such stature; the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat being another.
These men eventually became monuments. They may have gained notoriety by become iconoclasts, nevertheless they are celebrated for being men of peace rather than warriors.
Force may be needed when necessary, but it is peace which brings immortality. It will not be easy for the new Palestinian president, especially when dealing with the world's most recalcitrant state -- Israel -- which has a habit of electing the most heartless of leaders.
With firm conviction in the principles of peace, Abbas can accomplish what his seniors did not: establish an internationally recognized Palestinian state.
In many ways parallels can be drawn between the history of Indonesian independence and that of Palestine. Both nations suffered and fought to free themselves from occupation.
Thus it is our belief that despite the pursuance of peace and negotiations, Abbas must not betray the maxims which the Palestinian people have already suffered so much for, including the creation of East Jerusalem as the nation's capital and the right of Palestinian refugees to return.
Abbas has pledged "to put an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people for they are a people who deserve...our respect and our loyalty."
He can be assured the Indonesian nation will continue to respect the vision sought by our Palestine cousins and remain loyal to their cause.