King Abdullah urges Israel to allow Palestinians residing in east Jerusalem to vote in upcoming parliamentary elections, calling it ‘ an important step on the way to ensuring democracy, reforms’; king meets with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas at end of tour of Gulf Arab states Jordan’s King Abdullah said Wednesday Israel should not block Palestinians in east Jerusalem from voting in parliamentary elections schedule later this month. In a statement issued by the palace, King Abdullah „stressed the necessity of having no obstacles in front of Palestinians of East Jerusalem participating in the vote.” The king issued the statement after talks with PA leader Mahmoud Abbas in the Jordanian capital, calling the elections „an important step on the way to ensuring democracy and reforms in the Palestinian territories.” Abdullah also called on „all Palestinian factions to work collectively to end the deteriorating security situation in the territories” and „to work on unifying Palestinian efforts.” Abbas, whose Fatah Party is roiled by infighting, accusations of corruption and fears of an electoral defeat by Hamas, said Monday the vote might be delayed if Israel carries out its threat to bar Palestinians from voting in east Jerusalem, which Palestinians seek as the capital of a future state. Israel says interim peace accords forbid Palestinian political activity in Jerusalem, which Israel also claims as its capital. In a compromise used during the 1996 parliamentary election and in presidential elections last year, east Jerusalem’s Palestinians voted by absentee ballot in post offices. ‘Jordan ready to support PA efforts’ However, this election will mark the first time that Hamas – which calls for Israel’s destruction and is responsible for dozens of deadly suicide bombings – will field candidates. Israel has called for the Islamic group to be disqualified. Abdullah said Jordan stood ready to „support the efforts of the Palestinian Authority to reinforce security, impose law and order, and build up Palestinian institutions necessary before the legislative elections.” Abbas, who spoke to Abdullah at the end of a tour of Gulf Arab states, said the PA „will work on consolidating the security situation and impose it control on the Palestinian territories which will be appropriate to creating an atmosphere of political pluralism and allowing the participation of all in building an honorable life for the Palestinian people.”
BPI-info
BPI-info
