Israel mum on permission for Palestinian vote, Hamas edgy
As the Palestinian Authority awaits Israel's decision on holding elections in Jerusalem, Hamas is demanding action with or without Israel's permission.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Hamas is calling for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to schedule elections and stop waiting for Israel's approval.
Abbas has yet to issue a decree to schedule the vote, as he waits for an official response from the Israeli side on his request to allow polling stations in occupied East Jerusalem. Since he first announced in September his decision to hold presidential and parliamentary elections, Abbas has said the electoral process should include all Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
“No elections will be held without Jerusalem,” Abbas reiterated during a Dec. 17 speech at a Fatah Central Committee meeting.
Hamas agrees with that sentiment, but on Dec. 25 senior Hamas official Salah Bardaweel demanded that the Palestinian Authority (PA) "impose" elections in Jerusalem, saying Palestinians don't need Israel's permission.
