Commenting on the outcome of the Palestinian parliamentary elections where militant group Hamas has been successful, Plaid Cymru International Affairs Spokesperson and member of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the Palestinian Authority Jill Evans MEP said:
"The international community must respect the outcome of this election which observers have said was free and fair, even though it was held under substantial restrictions.
"I was in Palestine last November with an official EU delegation and it was evident that the conditions for the Palestinian people were worse than ever and that Israeli settlement activity was on the increase. In such circumstances few seasoned observers will be surprised that a long persecuted people have now chosen the more militant option.
"The onus is now on Hamas to halt the violence and face up to the challenges of democratic government. The welfare and well-being of the people must be the priority in the aftermath of these elections, as well as getting the peace process back on track."
