Ayman Al-Zawahiri

For the first time since the debut of this blog, Al Qaeda makes direct democracy news. In his newest release (a Q&A this time, because, apparently, the consultants thought the whole straightforward crazy address thing wasn't working), Al Qaeda's number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, denounces Hamas for contemplating a voter referendum on seeking peace with Israel.

"As for peace agreements with Israel, they [Hamas] spoke of putting it to a referendum despite considering it a breach of the Sharia (Islamic law)," Zawahiri is quoted as saying, according to a translation. "How can they put a matter that violates Sharia to a referendum?"

Assuming the question isn't rhetorical, I'll answer. The Palestinian government could simply hold a referendum. You don't need signatures. Circulating in Gaza and West Bank might be tough duty even for the most rough-and-tumble California petition circulators, though, for $5 a signature, a few would make the trip, I'm quite sure.