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Hamas braces for delay of Palestinian elections

Hamas is considering its next moves ahead of the expected announcement of the postponement of the Palestinian legislative elections.
Employees of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission display electoral lists ahead of the upcoming general elections, at the commission's district offices, Hebron, West Bank, April 6, 2021.

Hours before the start of the campaign process for the legislative elections April 30, there are increased reports claiming that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would announce the postponement of the elections scheduled for May 22, as Israel refuses to allow ballots in Jerusalem — although Israel did not officially announce this. The reports have raised the ire of Palestinian factions, especially Hamas.

Ahmed Majdalani, a member of the PLO’s Executive Committee, said in a local radio interview April 28 that the elections will be postponed if Jerusalemites do not take part in them since holding them without Jerusalem is unacceptable.

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