PA: Election activists detained in J'lem
Palestinians claim Israel disrupting election campaign in capital, arresting activists, imposing fines on candidates
The Palestinian Authority expressed anger Wednesday at Israel's conduct regarding upcoming elections in east Jerusalem.
Palestinians claimed Israel has changed its mind, despite Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz's announcement Tuesday to allow east Jerusalem residents the right to vote and hold election campaigns in the city according to the 1996 policy.
According to the agreement, Palestinians would be allowed to vote in five local post offices or in any other voting station in the West Bank.However, Palestinian sources reported that following Monday's meeting between the parties, in which the guidelines and framework for the election campaign were agreed upon, Israeli police has started arresting election activists.
The Palestinians claimed a number of people who posted election posters in the city were arrested Tuesday and were ordered to pay a fine of NIS 1,000 (about USD 222).
In addition, the candidates whose pictures were posted in unauthorized places were ordered to pay an additional NIS 5,000 (about USD 1,111).
Palestinian sources said this was an Israeli attempt to thwart the election campaign in the city. they said that while Israel has agreed to allow elections in Jerusalem, it has tried to remove any characteristic of an election campaign in the city.
Meanwhile, Hamas and other Palestinian organizations charged that the agreements reached with Israel are beneficial to Fatah's campaign and thus discriminate between Fatah and other organizations, mainly Fatah and Hamas.
Despite Israel's prohibitions, the Palestinian organizations continue to hold gatherings and conferences in the city without coordinating with police.
Police: We are enforcing instructions
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is expected to meet Thursday with U.S. envoys David Walsh and Eliot Abraham in order to discuss the Jerusalem issue. During the meeting, the Palestinians plan to raise the issue of Israel's policy in Jerusalem in terms of the elections and limitations imposed by Israel.
Jerusalem police officials said in response that "police are patrolling the city along with Jerusalem Municipality inspectors in a bid to enforce the instructions received by PA representatives."
"So far six Palestinians youths have been detained after posting signs in unauthorized places. The six were sent to house arrest by a police officer for four days, they placed a deposit of NIS 1,000 and promised not to repeat the offense," a police official said.
Police are expected to ask the court to prosecute the six Palestinians for vandalism offenses.
Efrat Weiss and Roee Nahmias contributed to the report
