Fatah Central Committee Member Mahmoud Al-Aloul Tuesday justified the Palestinian Authority’s decision to postpone local elections saying it came at the request of Hamas in order to hold elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip at the same time.
President Mahmoud Abbas issued a ruling on Monday postponing the elections “until appropriate circumstances allowing holding it nationwide exist.”
Aloul said that Hamas asked for the postponement until reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas is reached and the West Bank and Gaza Strip are reunited under one authority so that elections can be held in both regions at the same time.
He said that Abbas’ decision to postpone local elections “aims to provide a more constructive atmosphere to reach reconciliation.”
Aloul said Abbas asked Fatah Central Committee member, Azzam Al-Ahmad, to meet Palestinian factions in the West Bank to discuss the decision to postpone elections.
He claimed that many Palestinian factions “understand the situation and the reason behind postponing elections.”
However, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) was one of several major Palestinian factions who expressed disappointment at the decision.
Full Article: Palestine News & Info Agency – WAFA – Fatah Supports, Others Object to Postponement of Local Elections.
