Barak Obama, the Democratic candidate for President, seen here in the West Bank city of Ramallah, during a visit to Israel/Palestine in January of 2006. (IMEU)

As Americans today go to cast their votes for their next president, thousands of Palestinian-Americans in the occupied Palestinian territories will already have had their say.

Among Palestinians generally, two attitudes toward the elections seem to prevail. On the one hand, many see the vote as potentially crucial for the world and America. On the other, few hold out much hope that, whatever the result, Palestinians will gain much.

For Palestinian-Americans, the two positions seem to go together.

"I think it's one of the most important elections in my lifetime, in terms of what is needed to fix not just the global economic situation but how people and countries deal with each other," said Kareem Shehadeh, a lawyer and the chairman of the board of the American-Palestinian Chamber of Commerce. The Palestinian issue, however, is "very low on the agenda" of any new administration, said Mr Shehadeh. "In 2009, I don't think either party will have any real effect on the situation here."

Basil Ayyish, a telecommunications professional, said from a Palestinian perspective the election was insignificant. "American foreign policy is so entrenched in the Israeli narrative and Zionist objectives that I don't think any president will change that."

Nevertheless, Mr Ayyish also called the election "vitally important".

"For Americans and the international community it's very important, because it will help set the tone for decades to come."

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No organised attempt has been made by either the Obama or McCain campaigns to solicit the votes of eligible voters in the West Bank.

According to figures from the US Embassy, nearly 80,000 US citizens live in the West Bank and Gaza, though that includes Jewish settlers. The number of Palestinian-Americans is estimated at around 40,000.

The community is a fairly significant one because of its affluence. Palestinians sought their fortunes in America both before and after 1948. In the 1990s, many returned to help build what they thought would become a Palestinian state. Between Ramallah and Nablus lies Dear Dibwan, a village of large villas built almost exclusively with American money brought back by those who returned. Today, with the political situation in disarray, the village lies almost empty for much of the year.

Those who remain have kept a keen eye on the presidential elections, however, and most appear to hope for a Barack Obama victory, regardless of the impact on Palestinians.

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