Hamas rejected the Palestinian Authority decision to postpone the municipal elections in Hebron until further notice.  Hamas’ spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, said there is no legal base or any national interest that elections would be delayed for.ÂÂ
‘Apparently the Palestinian Authority has forgotten its agreements with us, and is taking unilateral decision on the elections issue. This is not a one-party affair,’ Abu Zuhri said referring to the agreement between the PA and the Palestinian factions not to take such decisions unless consulted with the factions.
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Abu Zuhri demanded the Palestinian Authority to reconsider this issue, and to commit to the law, stating that Hamas will follow up on the issue to ensure that elections will be held in Hebron as scheduled.
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The Palestinian Authority, however, said it has enough reasons to delay the elections as it can not ensure that the elections will be held in appropriate environment.
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Dr. Khaled Al-Qawasmi, Minister of the Local Governments said, the decision was made ‘based on instructions by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and after consulting with the Supreme Elections Committee who failed to receive guarantees from Israel that it would ease the movement of the residents and the elections crews and ability to hold election campaigns, especially in H2 area which will negatively affect the election process.’
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H2 is the area in the city of Hebron that is still under Israeli control according to the 1997 Hebron Protocol signed between the Palestinian Authority and Israel as a temporary measure. H1 is the majority Hebron which is under total Palestinian control.
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The fourth stage of the elections is scheduled for December 15 in four major cities and some other small towns and villages in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
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Elections will be held in Gaza, Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin and Hebron at this stage.
