Read part 1 here and part 2 here There is no doubt that Hamas has a major dilemma, but the solution does not involve escaping by playing the last card in its hand. If its participation in the 2006 election was a big mistake, then participating in the upcoming elections is an unforgivable sin. We need to forget statements such as the one issued by Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem, who said, "Although Hamas had wanted simultaneous elections, it agreed to Abbas's schedule in the interests of unity." He noted that there are several issues that must be resolved between now and the start of elections.