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Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) at a press conferance in Gaza city, Monday. (AP)
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| By Israel Insider staff and partners January 10, 2006 |
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Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said Monday that he would hold parliament elections on Jan. 25 as scheduled after he received U.S. assurances that Arab residents of east Jerusalem will be allowed to cast their ballots in the city.
Abbas' announcement alleviated some fears that he was planning to call off the vote under pressure from members of his Fatah party, who were concerned that the popular Hamas terrorist group would embarrass Fatah at the polls.
However, the top Palestinian security official warned that he will not be able to secure polling stations from gunmen trying to disrupt the election.
According to the Palestinian leader, Palestinian elections were endangered by Israel's objection to allowing Jerusalem Arabs to vote. However, Abbas also clearly feared increasing Hamas strength and Gaza chaos.
Mahmoud Abbas was under growing pressure from his Fatah Party to postpone the January 25 parliament election amid fears about a possible Hamas victory.
Abbas was reluctant to delay the vote without Hamas' consent. Hamas had insisted that the election be held on time.
Palestinian elections were also endangered by growing violence and chaos in Gaza.
The violence partially stemmed from disputes within Abbas' ruling Fatah party, which is divided between its corrupt old guard and younger members. The young generation fears Fatah old-timers will select the list of party candidates, instead of relying on results from recent primaries.
Abbas had previously said he would cancel the vote if Israel followed through on its threats to prevent Palestinians in east Jerusalem from voting.
During the 1996 Palestinian parliament election, the two sides used a compromise that let Palestinian residents cast absentee ballots at Jerusalem post offices. But Israel had threatened to cancel that compromise this year because of the participation of Hamas, which calls for the destruction of Israel and is responsible for scores of deadly terrorist attacks against Israelis in recent years.
In an address carried live on Palestine TV, Abbas said he spoke to several U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who gave him assurances that Israel would allow voting in Jerusalem. Abbas said he also received a message Monday from U.S. President George W. Bush.
"The elections will proceed and God willing take place on time," Abbas said.
Israel said Monday that it was reversing its ban on letting Palestinian politicians campaign in Jerusalem - though Hamas would still be barred - but Israeli officials said they had not reached agreement yet on allowing voting in the city.
"We are hopeful that we are close to an understanding," said Mark Regev, spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry. "We want to reach an agreement under which Palestinians living in Jerusalem who want to vote in the elections can, and at the same time ensure that we don't give legitimacy to any terrorist group."
U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said two U.S. envoys would travel to the region Tuesday to smooth out arrangements for the elections, as well as other security issues.
With the campaigning ban lifted, candidates distributed leaflets Monday and put up posters in east Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the 1967 Mideast War. The candidates said they will campaign as if voting is to take place.
"We are determined to break any Israeli attempt to hold back this national right," said Qais Abu Leila, a candidate from Jerusalem. "Our slogan is elections will take place, on time, and in Jerusalem, regardless of any Israeli measures or decisions."
Ahmed Atoun, a Hamas candidate in Jerusalem, said Israel has no business interfering in Palestinian affairs. "The Palestinian people want to elect their representatives. Let the ballot boxes decide," he said
Fatah, which is viewed as riddled with corruption, is facing a serious challenge from Hamas, which is participating in parliamentary elections for the first time. Hamas has cultivated a corruption-free image.
Abbas is also struggling with increasing chaos in Gaza, where gunmen, mostly from groups affiliated with Fatah, have wrecked havoc, storming government offices, taking hostages and even smashing through the border wall with Egypt.
Abbas said Monday that such chaos is aimed at scuttling the elections, and he told his security forces to protect that "democratic day even with force."
However, Abbas' Interior Minister Nasser Yousef told Cabinet Sunday that he would not be able to secure polling stations from gunmen on voting day.
Jonathan McIvor, a European adviser to the Palestinian police, said the security forces compromise 60,000 people that cost about a third of the Palestinian budget. Their inability to act comes mostly from a poor command and control structure and not from lack of equipment or manpower, he said.
"Who is holding the police and the security forces accountable for their performance?" he asked. The district commanders are not involved in decision making and there are no clear plans of how to achieve objectives such as maintaining order.
Ali Jerbawi, a Palestinian political analyst, said the security forces are falling apart.
"President Abbas and his interior minister are unable to control it and the leaders of the security forces themselves are unable to control their elements because (many) have moved out to form their own militant gangs," he said.
The AP contributed to this report.
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