An email from a reader in Israel:

There may actually be much to be gained by Hamas' victory in yesterday's elections in the Palestine Authority (PA).  The Palestinian people participated in democracy; exercised their right to vote; voiced an opinion; and opted for a political party, Hamas.  And they will get what they voted for.
 
On a positive note, there probably will be less corruption.  (Fatah, the party of Arafat and hitherto the dominant party within the PA was corrupt to its core).  And for those who favor confrontation with Israel and the deliberate targeting of Israeli civilians (i.e. "terror"), if Hamas is consistent to its history and its platform, they will get this confrontation.
 
On the negative side of the ledger, Hamas will enact new limits on liberty, as it moves, however slowly, to its goal of a theocratic society.  Moreover, assuming the US and the EU are true to their word, then much less funding will be available (unless Hamas should change its charter, and its character).  Foreign investment will disappear.  The Palestinian economy will suffer accordingly.
 
Internationally, support for the Palestinian cause will suffer.  We see that even today, in the annoucements (nothing less than remarkable) of European leaders, including French Prime Minister de Villepin, who conditioned France's support on a change in Hamas' charter.  And Hamas' announcements shows no indication of being remotely interested in such a change.
 
Furthermore, the "confrontation" with Israel may be an unproductive one, to put it mildly.  Israel's defensive barrier is largely built, and is effective.  Israel's intelligence within the West Bank and Gaza is excellent. Israel's retaliatory capabilities are enormous.  Israel is experienced with Low Intensity Conflict, and knows the value of targeted assassinations.  And with Hamas heading the PA, Israel's reluctance to retaliate massively will be reduced.
 
In short, should Hamas pursue its goal to eliminate Israel, and to use terror as the principal means in this process, then clearly the Palestinian people will be 1) isolated internationally; 2) on the receiving end of unprecedented financial hardships; and 3) all the while facing the nightmare of daily chaos and the collapse of internal security.  And they'll have the beginnings of a theocratic regime, for a people who historically have never expressed much interest in this.
 
Of course, Hamas could choose peace, but in so doing it would no longer be Hamas (and would betray its electorate).
 
So, let Hamas win, and make its choices, and let the Palestinian people profit (or suffer) accordingly.  This democratic action will encourage Palestinians to recognize what all mature adults understand: actions have consequences.  And then perhaps in the next election they will choose differently.