PLO, Fatah committees meet to discuss Palestinian elections

Ahead of a meeting by the PLO Executive Committee on Sunday, Ahmad said participants will mainly tackle the polls as they insist that they also take place in Al-Quds (Jerusalem).

In statements broadcast by the official radio station, he pointed out that President Mahmoud Abbas will review the most significant contacts with various international parties “to take the right decision in case Israel bans elections in Jerusalem.”

Sunday’s meeting was preceded by a meeting of the PLO factions, which refused to hold polls without including Al-Quds. The Fatah Central Committee will meet on Monday.

“Israel continues to carry out its aggressive policies towards the capital of the Palestinian state,” Ahmad stressed, citing the Israelis’ storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and attacks against religious sites, churches and mosques.

He further pointed to the latest settlement expansion, the confiscation and demolition of Palestinian people’s homes, which have increased since Abbas declared that elections will be held.

Ahmad highlighted the obstacles placed by Israel, even during the consultation meetings, such as the arrest of various electoral candidates.

Israel arrested on Saturday three Palestinian candidates in Al-Quds after it had prevented authorities from holding a press briefing about the polls. The Palestinians slammed the move as an attempt to prevent the elections from being held in Al-Quds.