PA fears bloodbath during elections

Hamas claims Fatah trying to postpone elections, while Fatah accuses Hamas of conceding Jerusalem after it agreed to hold elections without vote of east Jerusalem residents. PA announces security forces will not secure voting stations on Election Day
Ali Waked

While Israel is in the midst of coming to terms with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's medical condition, the Palestinians are dealing with their own internal issues – mainly the upcoming PA elections in three weeks.

The Palestinian Authority and Hamas renewed their finger pointing Thursday, with Hamas slamming PA Interior Minister Nasser Yousef's announcement that Palestinian security forces would not secure Elections Day.

Yousef said he fears a bloodbath on the day and explained that his men could not protect the voting stations.

"We are sorry to hear these comments of someone who is defined as being primarily responsible for the PA's safety," Hamas said in response, adding that Yousef's comments are part of a trend within Fatah to spread confusion among the Palestinian public and to disrupt the elections.

Palestinian Elections

Israel prepares for possible Hamas victory / Ronny Sofer

Israel is setting up an inter-ministerial committee to deal with the scenario of Hamas winning the January parliamentary elections in the Palestinian Authority, Israel Radio reported Saturday

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Hamas also accused Fatah of initiating anarchy in the Authority, pointing to Wednesday's events in which Fatah's al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades stormed the Gaza-Egypt border using bulldozers.

‘Has Dahlan visited the al-Aqsa Mosque?’

Hamas officials said such actions are part of Fatah's efforts to bring about the postponement of the elections.

Officials also slammed former PA Minister for Civilian Affairs Mohammad Dahlan, who said Hamas’ desire for leadership has caused the group to relinquish the idea of Jerusalem as a Palestinian capital.

Dahlan's had meant that Hamas expressed readiness to carryout elections without the participation of east Jerusalem Palestinian residents, something which Israel has refused to permit

"Has Dahlan visited the al-Aqsa Mosque once during his numerous visits to Jerusalem and during security meetings with Sharon and other senior officials?" Hamas Spokesman Mushir al-Masri told the Palestinian news agency Ma'an.

Al-Masri added that Hamas would not give up on the residents of east Jerusalem, saying he was convinced that if Israel prevents the residents from voting there would be alternative ways to ensure their participation in the elections.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Central Elections Committee requested PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas release the members from their duties, in protest to the government decision to allow PA security members to vote in the areas where they are currently serving, rather than their residence district as determined by the Committee.

The PA estimates the resignation is not final and that the committee members will return to their positions.