This Sunday's election for the Palestinian presidency offers the people of the occupied territories a limited but precious chance to begin seizing back some control over their future. To be followed by no less important electoral contests for parliament and within Fatah, the main faction of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, the poll should be seen as part of a post-Yassir Arafat process of renewal - an intrinsic good, irrespective of the present fate of the Palestinian struggle for a homeland.

The elections, and the promise of a new style of governance based on accountability, transparency and respect for law and institutions, should command universal support, but especially from Israel. It is worth remembering that the almost certain winner, Fatah veteran Mahmoud Abbas, was undermined just as much by Israel as by Mr Arafat when he tried to pursue both reform and peace in a brief stint as prime minister in 2003.