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Marwan Barghouti apologizes to Palestinians for Fatah corruption
Ha''aretz 12/30/2005
Jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti apologized Friday for the ruling Fatah party''s failures but urged Palestinians to give it another chance in upcoming elections - a rare admission of guilt that highlighted party members'' growing concern about the political rise of Hamas. Barghouti, in his first statement since being chosen to head the Fatah list for Jan. 25 parliamentary elections, urged voters to choose Fatah as the only guarantee for creating a democratic state and said Hamas should be "partners" in a new, clean Palestinian government.
Fatah Jerusalem candidates withdraw from elections
Ha''aretz 12/31/2005
Candidates with Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas'' Fatah Party in east Jerusalem on Friday said they would boycottJan. 25 parliamentary elections. All 15 candidates said they were withdrawing their candidacies because Israel has yet to officially commit to allowing east Jerusalem residents to participate in the voting. "Jerusalemites should be allowed to participate in the elections the same as the other Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza," said Hatem Abdel Kader, one of the leaders of the group. "We think that if there will be no elections in Jerusalem then there should be no elections at all. "
Jerusalem candidates quit poll
AlJazeera 12/31/2005
Fatah party candidates in east Jerusalem have said they will boycott parliamentary elections next month. All 15 candidates with Mahmoud Abbas''s party said on Friday that they were withdrawing because Israel has yet to commit officially to allowing east Jerusalem residents to vote. The Palestinians claim predominantly Arab east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. Israel, which captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 war, says the entire city is its eternal capital.
Hamas moves into politics in Nablus
BBC 12/30/2005
With Palestinian parliamentary elections less than a month away, the militant group Hamas looks set to repeat its successes in recent municipal elections. But what does it mean when a militant group comes to power? The new mayor of Nablus, Adli Yaish, greeted a large party of visitors who had come to congratulate him on his victory. Mr Yaish is a local car dealer. "I don''t like to drive a new car," he says, "because in Nablus there are lots of poor people. I cannot drive a very good car when people can''t find something to eat. "Once the bustling centre for the West Bank, Nablus is a shadow of itself.
Fatah files united list just minutes before PLC deadline
By Amira Hass, Ha''aretz 12/29/2005
Some 20 minutes before the cut-off time yesterday for registering candidates in the upcoming elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council (the parliament), Fatah representatives submitted their united list to the offices of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission. The list has yet to be officially published, and the matter has become a cause of concern among members of the party''s new guard faction. A senior domestic-Fatah activist who is included on the list told Haaretz that he feared the crisis in the movement had yet to pass, because it was not clear how people would react on publication of the list in full.
Fatah Reunites for Elections, Israeli Attacks Persist
Palestine Chronicle 12/29/2005
Mohammed Dahlan made the announcement at a news conference shortly before Abbas was expected to submit a new united list of candidates for the elections. -- GAZA CITY - The Palestinian Authority and resistance factions have agreed to join forces for a successful legislative election next month as Israeli carried on Wednesday, December 28, with its air strikes on Gaza and further took them near the Lebanese capital Beirut. In a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, December 27, Palestinian factions and the Palestinian Authority (PA) agreed to set up a steering committee chaired by the Palestinian leader to ensure a trouble-free and successful legislative elections due on January 25.
Fatah veterans threaten to form new faction before Jan. election
Ha''aretz 12/27/2005
Veterans of the Fatah Party on Tuesday threatened to break away from the movement and form a competing list of candidates for upcoming elections, sparking a new crisis for Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, officials said. Abbas has been trying to unify Fatah since members of its young guard broke away from the party two weeks ago and submitted its own list of candidates. Abbas subsequently reconciled with the young generation, and on Monday, a Palestinian court agreed to reopen the registration process to allow Fatah to submit a single list.
Salam Fayyadh Wants Less PNA Dependence on External Grants
Palestine Media Center 12/27/2005
Outgoing Finance Minister Urges Greater Support for Private Sector -- Outgoing Minister of Finance Salam Fayyadh called for an independent financial decision-making as the basis for the Palestinian political independence, a transparent financial policy, a reduction in “dependence on external grants,” greater support for the private sector, and cautioned against compromising the “national dignity” in accepting donor’s aid. Fayyadh has resigned his post to run in the legislative elections, scheduled for January 25. He leads the “Third Way” list together with the member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Hanan Ashrawi. His list is supported by the member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and co-author of the unofficial Palestinian – Israeli Geneva Initiative, Yasser Abed Rabbo.
The Election Appeal Court Decides Reopening Candidature for the Upcoming Palestinian Parliamentary Elections
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 12/27/2005
On Monday, 26 December 2005, the Election Appeal Court (EAC), which held a session in Ramallah, decided reopening candidature for the upcoming Palestinian parliamentary elections, which will be held on 25 January 2005, for additional 6 hours to compensate the six hours lost on 13 and 14 December 2005, when the Central Election Commission (CEC) closed its offices. Accordingly, the CEC declared that it would receive candidature applications at its offices throughout the West Bank from 08:00 to 14:00 on Wednesday, 28 December 2005.
Hamas may modify terror activity if it wins Palestinian elections
Ha''aretz 12/27/2005
Hamas is expected to tone down its terror activity if it wins the elections for the Palestinian parliament scheduled for the end of January, a senior IDF officer said Monday. Udi Dekel, director of the IDF''s Strategic Planning Division, said if Hamas sets up the next Palestinian government, it is likely to act more moderately toward Israel. Dekel did not rule out a scenario in which the organization would continue its suicide attacks on a relatively low profile, by giving instructions and means to smaller groups. Intelligence sources said this is what Hamas is doing at present.
Court boosts Fatah election hopes
BBC 12/26/2005
A West Bank court has authorised the governing Palestinian party, Fatah, to submit a unified list of candidates for parliamentary elections due next month. The court ruled that the registration process should re-open temporarily, giving Fatah a chance to restore members of a rebel faction to the list. Correspondents say the court''s decision gives a boost to the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.... But they say it is still not clear whether the breakaway faction has agreed to run on the proposed unified list.
Qurei not to run in key election
BBC 12/24/2005
Veteran Palestinian politician Ahmed Qurei says he will not stand in next month''s elections despite resigning as prime minister to be a candidate. Mr Qurei said the timing was not right to hold the parliamentary elections - especially with Israel threatening not to allow a vote in Jerusalem. He denied the decision was linked to infighting within the governing party. The Fatah party has been in disarray since jailed West Bank intifada leader Marwan Barghouti broke away.
Ex-Palestinian PM quits race
AlJazeera 12/23/2005
Ahmed Qurie, the former Palestinian prime minister, has pulled out of the race for a seat in parliament, less than two weeks after resigning to contest the election, according to Palestinian officials. They said on Friday that Qurie had sent a letter to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, to say that he wanted the elections postponed and that he opposed a plan to merge two rival lists of candidates from the ruling Fatah movement. Fatah''s governing body decided at a meeting chaired by Abbas late on Thursday to fuse the two lists into one, headed by Marwan Barghuti, the jailed intifada leader.
Hamas credits Sharon with poll boost
AlJazeera 12/23/2005
Thousands of Hamas supporters have celebrated the group''s 18th anniversary in a mass rally in Gaza City, and its spokesman said that tough Israeli policies had only increased its popularity. On Friday, Hamas members and supporters descended on the city centre from all over the Gaza Strip, massing in the Square of the Unknown Soldier after the main Friday prayers. Supporters clutched green flags and pictures of the Islamist movement''s heroes. The crowd denounced "American and European interference" in Palestinian parliamentary elections due on 25 January.
Hamas pushes for immediate elections
Ha''aretz 12/23/2005
Hamas and 10 other Palestinian factions told President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday that he must avoid any further delay to the Palestinian Authority''s parliamentary elections, even if Israel bans voting in East Jerusalem. Israel''s refusal to allow East Jerusalem''s Palestinians to vote in the elections on January 25 has drawn calls from some officials for a postponement, which could suit Abbas'' divided Fatah movement very well, but not Hamas as it rides a surge of popularity.
Palestinians may delay poll over voting ban
The Guardian 12/22/2005
Israel objects to ballot boxes in East Jerusalem · Officials blame Hamas''s involvement in election -- The Palestinian Authority will postpone its parliamentary elections if Israel bars Palestinian residents of Jerusalem from participating, the Palestinian deputy prime minister said yesterday. Israeli officials said they would not allow voting in East Jerusalem as part of the elections scheduled for January 25 if the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas was involved.
Fateh agrees on a unified list
International Middle East Media Center 12/22/2005
Sources within Fateh movement reported that an agreement has been reached between Fateh and its breakaway Future Faction in order to run in a unified list in the upcoming Legislative Elections. The list which will be announced in the coming hours is headed by the jailed legislator and Fateh leader Marwan Barghouthi. The agreement ends a political storm in Fateh movement and a crisis which gave Hamas movement victory in most of the Palestinian areas during the municipal elections.
Hamas, factions tell Abbas not to delay PA vote despite Israel ban
Ha''aretz 12/23/2005
Hamas and 10 other Palestinian factions told Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday that he must avoid any further delay to parliamentary elections, even if Israel bans voting in East Jerusalem. This latest move comes less than a day after Abbas hinted that the PA might have to reexamine holding elections following Israel''s announcement it would bar East Jerusalem residents from voting.... Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri: "Delaying the parliamentary election will create internal disruption and will spell the end of any Palestinian dialogue. "
Barghouti to head united Fatah list
YNetNews 12/22/2005
Officials in Palestinian Authority’s ruling party engage in intense contacts to unite two Fatah lists under leadership of jailed Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti, Ynet learns; official announcement expected soon -- The Fatah is set to unite, under Marwan Barghouti: The two separate Fatah lists are expected to unite under the leadership of jailed Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti following intense contacts Thursday, in a bid to present a united ruling-party front ahead of upcoming Palestinian elections, Ynet has learned.
Hamas warning over election delay
BBC 12/22/2005
The Palestinian militant group, Hamas, and 10 other factions have called on the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, not to delay January''s elections. Palestinian officials have said they might cancel the poll in response to Israel''s decision to bar Palestinians in East Jerusalem from voting. Israel said it was concerned that Hamas might gain power. In a statement, the groups urged Mr Abbas to find a way to ensure that people in East Jerusalem could vote.
Fatah in talks to end divisions over elections slate
ReliefWeb 12/22/2005
RAMALLAH, West Bank, Dec 22 (AFP) - Negotiations were being held Thursday in a bid to merge two rival lists drawn up by different wings of the ruling Fatah faction for next month''s Palestinian legislative elections. Fatah has been plunged into chaos after rebels, upset with the list drawn up by the movement''s leadership, submitted a rival slate headed by the jailed intifada leader Marwan Barghuti. His young supporters dominated the so-called Future slate while the official Fatah list was composed largely of party veterans.
Q&A: Palestinian elections
BBC 12/21/2005
The BBC''s Jo Floto examines key questions arising from Israel''s attempt to stop Palestinians in East Jerusalem voting in the January elections. What''s at stake in the elections? The elections will chose the 132 members of the Palestinian parliament, known as the Palestinian Legislative Council or PLC. Along with the directly elected President, the PLC controls the Palestinian Authority. The last elections to the Parliament were in 1996.
PA considers postponing elections
YNetNews 12/21/2005
Abbas’ aides talk openly about possibility of pushing back Jan. 25 parliament elections, citing Israel’s threat to ban voting in Jerusalem; officials deny they are simply grasping excuse to put off what could be trouncing by Islamic militant Hamas. Palestinian Information Minister Nabil Shaat: ‘If the Israelis insist on not allowing us to conduct the elections in Jerusalem, then there will be no elections at all’.
Abdul-Raheem to quit the official Fateh election list
International Middle East Media Center 12/21/2005
In a letter to the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, Tayyeb Abdul Raheem, member of the Fateh Central Committee, said on Monday, that he is quitting the Fateh list for the upcoming elections, warning that elections should not be conducted under occupation. In his letter, which also addresses members of the executive committee, Abdul-Raheem warned of the “consequences and risks of holding the Fateh primaries, and general elections, under the current conditions, which could lead to a crisis within the movement.
Analysis / Stomachache for the cat who swallowed the cream - Hamas
Ha''aretz 12/19/2005
Hamas'' impressive success in the Palestinian Authority municipal elections and its projected significant achievements in the parliamentary elections have given rise to concern as well as elation in the movement''s leadership. Hamas has a wide base of public support and therefore American warnings or Israeli threats (like those of Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom) are not the main cause of their concern. The problem is that Hamas is still not ready to rule.
Fatah groups agree to present two separate candidate lists for elections
Ha''aretz 12/18/2005
Leaders of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas''s Fatah movement agreed on Sunday to present two separate lists of candidates for January elections to try to end a damaging split, officials said. Abbas has been trying to heal the rift between veterans of late Yasser Arafat''s era and young members demanding a bigger share of power.... Earlier Sunday, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana warned that the EU could halt tens of millions of dollars of aid to the PA if the armed group Hamas wins next month''s Palestinian elections and fails to renounce violence.
Hamas wants satellite station
YNetNews 12/19/2005
New station expected to go on air following Palestinian elections, leading Hamas figure says -- Hamas is planning on setting up a satellite television station, according to Sheikh Ismail Haniya, a senior figure in the group. Haniya says the station will begin to operate after the Palestinian general elections. The leading Hamas member said the group had been weighing the establishment of an independent station for a long period, but economic and local political problems have so far prevented the plan from going ahead.
Fatah and breakaway faction meet to discuss uniting slates
Ha''aretz 12/17/2005
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas'' Fatah party held urgent talks Saturday with a breakaway faction of young activists in hopes of reuniting the party and boosting its chances of defeating Hamas in January parliamentary elections. The faction split from Fatah Wednesday and formed the Future movement after Abbas, ignoring the results of party primaries dominated by the young guard, announced a parliamentary slate filled with corruption tainted old-timers.
1.1m Palestinians live in local councils controlled by Hamas
Ha''aretz 12/18/2005
Hamas is the big winner over a splintered Fatah in the fourth round of local elections in the Palestinian Authority, held Thursday, according to the results published yesterday by the PA Central Elections Committee. Since December 2004, elections in the Gaza Strip and West Bank have taken place in 263 local authorities, whose combined population is 2. 3 million. Six weeks ahead of elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council (the parliament) on January 25, Fatah has the lead in 121 towns and villages as opposed to Hamas''s 81. However, Hamas took a number of large and important towns, with a population of 1. 1 million, as opposed to 700,000 that live in communities where Fatah won.
Hamas triumphs as Fatah struggles
AlJazeera 12/16/2005
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, is scrambling to heal a split in his ruling Fatah party, while the Islamic movement Hamas has outstripped his faction in the latest round of municipal elections in the West Bank. Young Fatah dissidents said they were forming a new party, dealing Abbas a blow less than six weeks before a parliamentary election where Hamas, whose power has increased since the start of an uprising in 2000, will challenge Fatah for the first time.
Palestinian local elections: marked improvement over previous rounds but major challenges remain, say Congress observers
ReliefWeb/Council of Europe 12/16/2005
Strasbourg, 16. 12. 2005 - "We have seen an impressive improvement in the organisation of the voting process during the fourth phase of local elections in the Palestinian Territories, compared to previous phases'', said Christopher Newbury, Head of the Council of Europe Congress Election Observation Mission, following the elections. "We are pleased that the Palestinian authorities have acted upon our recommendations", he said, pointing out that two voter lists - based on the voter registration list and on the civil register - were replaced by only one electoral list, and that the question of overcrowding of polling stations has been efficiently addressed by breaking up large polling centres into smaller units.
Fatah: Abbas to blame for defeat
YNetNews 12/16/2005
Senior Fatah figures slam PA leader following Hamas win in local Palestinian elections -- Palestinian Authority officials are stunned in the wake of the impressive Hamas win in local elections held on Thursday, particularly as the ruling Fatah movement failed to score a victory in even one of the large cities where ballots were cast. PA and Fatah officials refused to officially address the results, saying they are waiting for official results expected to be published Sunday. However, off the record, senior Fatah figures are blaming PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas for the poor election performance.
Hamas wins in West Bank elections
BBC 12/16/2005
Palestinian militant group Hamas has won a sweeping victory in municipal elections in the West Bank. The Palestinian electoral commission said that in the biggest city, Nablus, Hamas took 73% of the vote, while the mainstream Fatah organisation took 13%. Nablus has traditionally been seen as a Fatah stronghold, but the party appears to have been damaged by current splits. On Wednesday, Marwan Barghouti split from Fatah to form a rival faction for elections in late January. Barghouti is serving five life terms in an Israeli prison for ordering militant attacks.
Sharp divisions within Fatah party
Middle East Online 12/15/2005
Jailed Marwan Barghuti named at top of two Fatah lists for Palestinian parliamentary elections. -- Jailed intifada leader Marwan Barghuti was on Wednesday named head of both the official Fatah party slate as well as a rival list of candidates for January''s parliamentary elections, as sharp, and violent, divisions came to the fore within the dominant Fatah party. As the deadline for registering candidates expired at midnight (2200 GMT), foreign minister Nasser al-Qidwa made the surprise announcement that Barghuti was heading the official party list, rather than prime minister Ahmed Qorei.
Hamas wins al-Bireh, Nablus councils
AlJazeera 12/16/2005
Hamas has swept the latest round of local Palestinian elections, beating the ruling Fatah to control large city councils in a test of strength ahead of a parliamentary vote. A Palestinian official who helped administer the elections said on Thursday that preliminary results showed that Hamas won control of the councils of Nablus, one of the biggest cities in the West Bank, and al-Bireh, although he did not reveal specific figures. He said Hamas won about the same number of council seats as Fatah in the town of Jenin, while the ruling party retained control of the city of Ramallah, where the main government and parliamentary offices are located.
Fatah rebels insist on split
AlJazeera 12/16/2005
Young dissidents from the ruling Palestinian Fatah Party have rejected a call for unity from Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president. The activists in the breakaway faction stood firm on Thursday in their determination to push aside the movement''s corrupt old guard and form their own party for the January parliamentary elections. The decision made after meeting Marwan Barghouti, their imprisoned leader, deepened a crisis for President Abbas and threatened to give a boost to the rival Islamic Hamas movement.
Hamas wins big in local Palestinian elections, takes control from Fatah
Ha''aretz 12/15/2005
Palestinian Authority''s PM Qureia resigns to run for parliament - Hamas appears to have defeated Fatah by a sizable margin in three of the four major West Bank cities where local elections were held Thursday: Nablus, Jenin and Al-Bireh, which is next to Ramallah. The final results will only be published on Sunday, but early results showed Hamas winning 65 percent of the seats on the Nablus city council, compared to only 15 percent for Fatah. In Jenin, early results showed Hamas winning over 50 percent of the vote, and in Al-Bireh, it was also leading Fatah by a wide margin. Only in Ramallah did a joint list comprised of Fatah and several leftist parties appear to be in the lead.
Abbas trying to heal Fatah rift
AlJazeera 12/16/2005
Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, is scrambling to heal a split in his ruling Fatah party, while the resistance group Hamas outstripped his faction in the latest round of municipal elections in the West Bank... Abbas and Barghouthi, who is serving five life terms in Israel over attacks during the Palestinian uprising, spoke by phone and agreed to further discussions. Barghouthi''s supporters believe he could be freed in a future peace deal. "We will employ every damage-control mechanism to avoid Fatah''s division," Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said.
Fateh Central Committee: Elections to be Held on Time
WAFA 12/15/2005
FRAMALLAH, December 15, 2005 (WAFA) - Fateh Central Committee affirmed on Thursday that the legislative elections will be held on time. Headed by President Mahmoud Abbas, the Committee discussed the measures achieved to present the Fateh list of candidates at the defined time. The Committee stressed the unity of Fateh and the indecency of the national decision, reaching the establishment of the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Netanyahu accuses PM of deceiving voters
YNetNews 12/15/2005
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accuses Sharon of deceit, saying Kadima''s political agenda envisages major territorial concession to Palestinians -- With just three days to go until the primary elections in the Likud, former prime minister and favorite candidate Benjamin Netanyahu waged a scathing attack on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, accusing his newly-formed faction Kadima of secret plans to make major territorial concession to the Palestinians should Sharon win a third term.
Marwan Barghouti quits PA''s Fatah faction, forms new party
Ha''aretz 12/15/2005
Jailed Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouti and a number of leading Fatah officials banded together Wednesday night to run for parliament on a competing ticket for the January 25 elections. Joining Barghouti on the new list are Palestinians Civil Affairs Minister Mohammed Dahlan and senior Palestinian security advisor Jibril Rajoub. A number of Barghouti associates, including his wife Fadwa, Palestinian parliament member Kadoura Fares, Dahlan and senior Fatah official in Gaza Samir Masharawi arrived at the Ramallah election headquarters and submitted a list of candidates, just one hour before the election deadline.
Palestinians submit polls candidates amid more violence
ReliefWeb 12/14/2005
RAMALLAH, West Bank, Dec 14 (AFP) - The Palestinians'' ruling Fatah faction and the Islamists of Hamas were submitting their list of candidates Wednesday for January''s parliamentary election contest which has already been blighted by violence. Mahmud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, was to present the list of Fatah names in person to the body overseeing the contest with his prime minister Ahmed Qorei at the top of the slate. The central elections commission, which halted its operations Tuesday in protest at attacks on several of its offices, agreed to reopen its offices only hours before the midnight deadline for candidate registrations.
Palestinian vote offices reopen after attacks
ReliefWeb 12/14/2005
RAMALLAH, West Bank, Dec 14 (AFP) - The body overseeing next month''s Palestinian parliamentary election announced it was reopening its offices Wednesday, hours before the final deadline for the registration of candidates. The central elections commission (CEC) had suspended its activities on Tuesday in protest at a series of attacks on its offices in the West Bank and Gaza Strip but finally bowed to appeals for employees to return to work for a 12-hour period. A statement by the CEC said that the offices would open at midday (1000 GMT) and operate until the midnight deadline for registrations.
Palestinians to vote in last of local polls
AlJazeera 12/15/2005
Palestinians in the major cities of West Bank are set to vote in the final round of local elections in what is seen as a dress rehearsal for next month''s parliamentary contests. Around 148,000 Palestinians are expected to vote in Thursday''s elections for 414 council seats. The ballot pits the dominant Fatah party against the Hamas movement, which has enjoyed a strong showing in the three earlier rounds of voting. Its success at municipal level has persuaded the movement to agree to participate in what will be its first-ever parliamentary elections on 25 January.
Fatah to split ahead of elections?
YNetNews 12/15/2005
In dramatic move, senior Fatah members announce split from party, form new faction in response to old guard''s corruption. Palestinian sources claim new movement may have been founded to ''compliment Fatah, attract more voters'' -- Political earthquake in the Palestinian Authority: Prominent Fatah leaders, including Marwan Barghouti, Jibril Rajoub and Mohammed Dahlan have split from their mother-party and have formed a new faction that will run against Fatah in upcoming general elections.
Palestinian ruling party in crisis
AlJazeera 12/15/2005
Rebels in Fatah, the Palestinian ruling party, have banded together to run for parliament on a competing ticket, sparking one of the gravest crises in the dominant faction''s 40-year history. Reacting immediately, in an attempt to defuse the crisis, the official Fatah party on Thursday named Marwan Barghuti, the jailed rebel leader, as its head in place of Ahmed Qorei, the prime minister, who had been expected to lead the slate in January''s parliamentary elections. Nasser al-Qidwa, the foreign minister, said in Ram Allah: "Marwan Barghuti is at the top of the Fatah list. "
Palestinian ''third way'' rises
Christian Science Monitor 12/13/2005
A new political group offers voters a choice between Fatah and Hamas. -- RAMALLAH, WEST BANK – Hamas and Fatah have a new political rival. A group of respected Palestinian leaders and intellectuals has formed an independent list to run in January''s elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council. The new "party" presents a potential challenge to the two major forces of political life here: Fatah, the ruling Palestinian faction, and Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement.
''Mother of martyrs'' runs for Hamas
AlJazeera 12/9/2005
A mother who has lost three sons fighting Israel is to run for Hamas in Palestinian parliamentary elections. Mariam Farhat, an icon of the intifada, will join male Hamas leaders to contest a legislative election due in January in which Hamas, the Islamist group sworn to Israel''s destruction, is taking part for the first time. It is expected to present a serious challenge to Fatah, the party of Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president. Farhat, 56, has strong militant credentials, including an appearance carrying a gun in a video in which she advised one of her sons, Mohammed, on tactics before he attacked a Jewish settlement.
Record Number of Women to Contest Palestinian Elections
Palestine Chronicle 12/7/2005
"Palestinian women need the training and the courage to reach the point where women are considered as no different from men on the political scene. . " -- GAZA CITY (AFP) - A record number of women will take up seats in the Palestinian parliament following January''s legislative elections, including the wives and widows of notable political figures. Under a new quota system, the number of women deputies will increase to at least 13 within the 132-seat Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), up from its current total of five. Over the last year, an unprecedented number of women have stepped forward onto the political scene following the parliament''s adoption in 2004 of a long-awaited quota system.
Women, Detainees to Contest Palestinian Polls
Islam Online 12/6/2005
GAZA CITY, December 6, 2005 (IslamOnline. net & News Agencies) – Women, including the wives and widows of notable political figures, and detainees in Israeli jails will run in the January''s Palestinian legislative elections. Under a new quota system, the number of women deputies will increase to at least 13 within the 132-seat Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), up from its current total of five, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP). A record number of women belonging to resistance factions like Hamas are also expected to contest the parliamentary elections on January 25.
Fatah starts debating parliament list
Ha''aretz 12/8/2005
A Fatah committee yesterday started debating the party''s list for the Palestinian parliamentary elections scheduled for January 25. Several committee members from the West Bank could not make it to the meeting, held in Gaza and headed by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, because Israel refused to give them travel permits. Attempts to hold primary elections in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip were met with violent clashes, complaints of forgeries and obstructions. The committee will try to settle controversies among various party factions.
More women for Palestinian parliament
AlJazeera 12/6/2005
A record number of women - including the wives and widows of notable political figures - will take up seats in the Palestinian parliament following January''s legislative elections. Under a new quota system, the number of women deputies will increase to at least 13 within the 132-seat Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), up from its current total of five. Over the last year, an unprecedented number of women have stepped forward onto the political scene following parliament''s adoption in 2004 of a long-awaited quota system.
Palestinian Legislative Campaign Kicks off, 3 Lists Registered
Palestine Media Center 12/4/2005
Report: Fayyadh, Abed Rabbo and Ashrawi to Run Independent List -- Registration of candidates for the Palestinian legislative elections on January 25 kicked off on Saturday with three lists and 127 independents amid reports that finance minister Salam Fayyadh, lawmaker Hanan Ashrawi and PLO executive Yasser Abed Rabbo are planning to form a new party to run in the parliamentary elections on an independent list, as the ruling Fatah movement and Hamas have yet to field full candidate lists.
Fatah calls off primary voting in two towns over armed violence
Daily Star 12/3/2005
Israel demands Palestinians stop allowing militants to enter Gaza -- The ruling Fatah movement called off primary voting in two large West Bank towns Friday after gunmen fired into the air and burned ballot boxes, in the latest setback for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of January''s parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, in Gaza there were reports of Hamas militants wanted by Israel being allowed back into the strip in what Israel described as a violation of U.S.-brokered deal for securing the border...Fatah officials said voting was canceled in the towns of Salfit and Qalqiliya.
Fatah primaries vote called off in Qalqilyah and Salfit
Ha''aretz 12/3/2005
The ruling Fatah party called off primary voting in the West Bank towns of Salfit and Qalqilya on Friday after gunmen fired into the air and burned ballot boxes, in the latest setback for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas ahead of January parliamentary elections. Fatah''s staggered primary voting has been plagued by violence and confusion in recent weeks, leaving the party in disarray as it gears up for a stiff challenge from the Islamic militant group Hamas in the January vote.Fatah officials said voting was canceled in Salfit and Qalqiliya due to the violence and disputes over voter eligibility.
Fatah Resumes Primaries, Sets up Board to Select PLC Candidates
Palestine Media Center 12/1/2005
Hatem Abdel Khader Top Winner in Jerusalem, Presents His Victory to Barghouthi -- Gearing up to Palestinian legislative elections on January 25, the ruling Fatah movement decided on Wednesday to resume its primaries after a two-day suspension following violent protests against alleged fraud and set up a 24-member board, chaired by President Mahmoud Abbas, to finalize a list of its parliamentary candidates. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat after a meeting in Washington with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged the United States on Tuesday to send thousands of election monitors and to increase pressure on Israel not to “sabotage” the upcoming Palestinian elections.
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 Conflict..
Israeli Settlers Start Wave of West Bank Outposts
MIFTAH 12/28/2005
Efrat, West Bank - Jewish settlers set up 13 makeshift outposts in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday in a show of strength ahead of Israeli elections that could swing on the growing debate over the territory. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has vowed to keep major West Bank settlements but has said that some isolated communities may one day have to be dismantled as a way of ending decades of conflict with the Palestinians.
Analysis / Collision course in the north
By Amos Harel, Ha''aretz 12/29/2005
Iran''s potential to create a nuclear bomb and Palestinian Qassams top the political agenda, and too little time is being spent on another threat. Under certain circumstances it might have greater impact on the elections in Israel: Katyusha rockets coming from Lebanon. The bombardment of Kiryat Shmona and Shlomi on Tuesday are worrying reminders. The launchers were assumed to be Palestinian (and the Israel Air Force retaliated by attacking a base of Ahmed Jibril''s Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine) but there is almost no doubt that the real perpetrator was Hezbollah.
Two Palestinian policemen wounded by Hamas gunfire
Ha''aretz 12/25/2005
A Hamas gunman opened fire on Palestinian policemen on Saturday evening, moderately wounding two officers, officials said. The shooting threatened to raise tensions between the Islamic group and the Palestinian Authority, and come just a month before Hamas and the ruling Fatah Party compete in parliamentary elections. Officials said the policemen stopped a group of armed Hamas members at a routine checkpoint in Gaza City. When they demanded the gunmen hand over their weapons, they opened fire and fled.
Rocket hits IDF base; 5 troops hurt
YNetNews 12/22/2005
Qassam fire continues: Five IDF soldiers sustain light, moderate injuries after Qassam rocket lands in military base south of Ashkelon; army responds with artillery fire, one Palestinian reportedly killed -- Four IDF soldiers sustained light wounds and another soldier suffered light to moderate injuries after a Qassam rocket landed in a military base south of Ashkelon Thursday morning. The troops were hurt by shrapnel and will be taken to hospital for treatment.
Israeli settler killed in Hebron
BBC 12/16/2005
Israeli security forces cordon off a car in which an Israeli settler was shot dead near Hebron - Israel has linked the attack to the upcoming Palestinian elections -- An Israeli settler was killed and two others were wounded when gunmen opened fire on their car in Hebron, the Israeli army has announced. The 35-year-old settler was shot in the head when his car was ambushed on a road near the southern West Bank town. The man, who died later in hospital, was the first Israeli civilian to be killed in the West Bank since October. The Palestinian militant groups Islamic Jihad and the al-Aqsa Martyrs'' Brigade have said they were behind the attack. Palestinian groups had vowed to avenge the killing of four suspected militants in an Israeli air strike in Gaza on Wednesday.
Israel to build hundreds of new houses in West Bank
ReliefWeb 12/14/2005
Jerusalem (dpa) - Israel said Wednesday it had authorized the construction of hundreds of new apartments in five West Bank settlements, again violating a key clause of an international peace plan which Premier Ariel Sharon is highlighting as a central element in his election campaign. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, meanwhile, faced new turmoil and violence in his ruling Fatah party ahead of Palestinian elections on January 25. Dozens of gunmen stormed the Fatah headquarters in Gaza City on Wednesday, fired into the air and demanded that Abbas postpone the elections, witnesses said. They charged that Abbas had removed winners of the Fatah primaries from the party''s candidates list.
Fatah militants attack Central Election Committee Gaza offices
ReliefWeb 12/13/2005
Gaza (dpa) - Dozens of armed militants from the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of the ruling Fatah movement, attacked offices of the Palestinian Central Elections Committee (CEC) throughout the Gaza Strip Tuesday. A CEC statement sent to reporters said several masked and armed militants opened fire at the committee''s main headquarters in Gaza City and also attacked the CEC offices in Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip and in the southern Gaza Strip towns of Rafah and Khan Younis.
Gaza gunmen fire on PA security compound, storm election HQ
Ha''aretz 12/13/2005
Palestinian gunmen from Palestinian Authority Chairman ahmoud Abbas''s ruling Fatah party stormed election offices and battled police in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday in a flare-up of violence that could disrupt next month''s parliamentary ballot. The violence prompted the Central Elections Committee to close all its offices in the West Bank and Gaza. Employees would not return to work until the Interior Ministry provided them with security, the Palestinian official news agency reported.
Gunmen shut down Gaza elections office in protest
Ha''aretz 12/12/2005
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - A group of masked Palestinian gunmen from the ruling Fatah Party raided the election office in the central Gaza town of Deir el-Balah and forced it to close Monday to protest their party''s plans to appoint candidates for upcoming elections instead of holding primaries. Fatah canceled its Nov. 28 Gaza primaries after gunmen disrupted at least a dozen polling places, firing in the air and stealing some ballot boxes. Many Fatah leaders hoped the primaries would help clear out the party''s entrenched, corruption riddled old guard and replace them with younger, more popular, leaders.
Israel threatens Gaza economic siege
AlJazeera 12/9/2005
Israel has threatened to impose an economic siege on the Gaza Strip unless Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas disarms fighter groups, Israel''s Channel Two television said. It quoted Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz as having told Abbas that unless a crackdown on fighters begins by Sunday, Israel will re-designate two commercial terminals on the Gaza boundary as border crossings, which could choke off Palestinian trade. There was no immediate comment on Friday''s report from officials close to Mofaz, who is running for leadership of the right-wing Likud Party in advance of Israeli general elections in March.
Israelis to target militants after mall suicide bomb
Daily Star 12/6/2005
A Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up Monday among shoppers waiting to enter a mall in the central Israeli town of Netanya, killing at least five people and wounding more than 30 others. The bombing escalated already heightened tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, marked by recent airstrikes and rocket attacks, ahead of upcoming elections on both sides. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is to discuss a response Tuesday morning with his Security Cabinet. Security commanders decided to recommend that Israel carry out targeted killings of militant leaders in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, clamp down on the Tulkarem area where the bomber originated and seal off the West Bank and Gaza, security officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
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Diplomacy..
Quartet Dictates to PNA Conditions for Parliamentary Candidates
Palestine Media Center 12/29/2005
‘PNA Should Codify in Law Renunciation of Violence, Recognition of Israel’ -- In a new blow to Palestinian national consensus as stipulated in the inter-Palestinian Cairo Declaration early this year, the Quartet of the US, UN, EU and Russia in a statement on Wednesday demanded the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) “take immediate steps” to ensure that “all participants” in the January 25 legislative elections “renounce violence, recognize Israel''s right to exist, and disarm,” and to move “expeditiously to codify” these principles in a law.
Quartet statement on Palestinian Legislative Council elections
ReliefWeb/Middle East Quartet 12/29/2005
The Quartet welcomes the upcoming Palestinian Legislative Council elections as a positive step toward consolidation of Palestinian democracy and the goal of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Quartet calls on the Palestinian Authority and the Central Elections Commission to ensure a free, fair, and open process in accordance with Palestinian law. The Quartet noted the continued importance of security in this regard, and calls on the Palestinian Authority to take immediate steps to ensure law and order, prevent terrorist attacks and dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism...
Dr. Ereikat Calls on Quartet to Ensure all Palestinians Participation in Elections
WAFA 12/29/2005
JERICHO, December 29, 2005 (WAFA) - Dr. Saeb Ereikat, Head of the PLO Negotiations Affairs Department, called Saturday on the US Administration and the other members of the Quartet to save no effort to enable all the Palestinians from participating in the forthcoming elections. Dr. Ereikat asserted, during his meeting in Jericho with Jacob Walles, the American Consul General in Jerusalem, that the palestinain security forces are able to enforce law and protect the electoral process in the Gaza Strip And the West Bank.
President Abbas to Start Saturday Official Tour to Gulf States
WAFA 12/29/2005
RAMALLAH, December 29, 2005 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas to start Saturday an official tour to the Arab Gulf States. Spokesperson of Presidency Nabil Abu Rdeneh said President Abbas will to brief the leaders of Gulf states on the latest developments in the Palestinian Territories and the preparations for the upcoming legislative elections. Abu Rdeneh said that President Abbas will ask the Gulf States to support the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in reconstructing the Gaza Strip and Gaza Strip.
Kadima uncertain on depth of concessions
YNetNews 12/28/2005
Political chapter of party''s platform, officially approved Wednesday, does not define depth of withdrawal from PA territories; according to platform, Jerusalem will remain united, while new Palestinian state will be responsible for refugee problem -- Ever since Prime Minister Ariel Sharon established his new party Kadima, the polls have predicted that it would gain a decisive victory in the elections. The party''s platform, however, remained unknown.... The platform creates a precedent when determining that the expected Palestinian state (which is also part of the platform) will be responsible for the refugee problem.
Abbas urges end to Israel attacks
BBC 12/28/2005
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has appealed to militant groups to halt rocket attacks on Israel. He made the plea at a meeting of armed groups in Gaza, ahead of parliamentary elections planned for next month. Islamic Jihad is reported already to have rejected his call, blaming Israel for a recent escalation in violence. Mr Abbas was also reportedly seeking agreement from the groups not to proceed with the polls if Israel stops Palestinians in East Jerusalem voting.
State seeks arrangement for East J''lem voters in PA elections
Ha''aretz 12/28/2005
Israel is seeking a solution that will permit East Jerusalem residents to vote in the elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council, but allow the government to adhere to its opposition to Hamas'' participation in the ballot. Israel also wants a solution that will prevent the state from being accused of delaying the elections. In a meeting on Monday with Labor chairman MK Amir Peretz, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said "an arrangement would be found," but refrained from elaborating.
Sharon offers more land to Palestinians - and more settlers
Daily Star 12/27/2005
Share Of Jerusalem Ruled Out-- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is ready to turn over more territory to the Palestinians and accept an independent Palestinian state if elected to a third term, according to a draft platform of Sharon''s Kadima Party published Monday. The platform could form the basis of the next Israeli government. Polls show the centrist Kadima, which Sharon formed last month, has the best chance of winning March 28 parliamentary elections.
Israel weighs Palestinian J''lem vote
YNetNews 12/26/2005
Israel may allow Palestinians who live in East Jerusalem to participate in Palestinian elections, an Israeli official said Monday. A senior Palestinian official welcomed the comments, but said that he was skeptical since the Palestinian Authority had not yet received an official response from Israel on the matter. The Palestinians had threatened not to hold the January 25 parliamentary elections if Israel did not let Palestinians in east Jerusalem vote.
Hamas: U.S. intervenes in PA elections
International Middle East Media Center 12/22/2005
In a press release issued, on Wednesday, the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, accused US administration of financing the election campaigns of Fateh candidates ahead of Palestinian general elections. Hamas demanded that the Palestinian Authority launch an investigation into the matter, saying, “This is further proof of American, western involvement in internal Palestinian affairs”.... In response, the USAID said the document was forged and that it does not finance political candidates or parties.
US, Israel strengthening Hamas - Latin patriarch
Reuters 12/21/2005
JERUSALEM, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Pope Benedict''s representative in the Holy Land said on Wednesday that the United States and Israel were helping strengthen Islamic militant group Hamas through policies towards the Palestinians. President George W. Bush''s administration has expressed concern over Hamas''s decision to participate for the first time in Palestinian parliamentary elections to be held on Jan. 25. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives called for Hamas, sworn to Israel''s destruction, to be banned from the coming elections. "Hamas is getting more powerful thanks to Bush''s intervention in the whole process," Latin Patriarch for the Holy Land, Michel Sabbah, a Palestinian, told reporters at a briefing held ahead of Christmas celebrations.
PA: Jerusalem ban may delay vote
AlJazeera 12/21/2005
Israel has said it will ban Arabs in East Jerusalem from voting in Palestinian elections next month if the Islamic group Hamas takes part. A spokesman for Ariel Sharon, the prime minister, said on Wednesday Israel will not allow voting in Jerusalem for the poll on 25 January because Hamas, which calls for Israel''s destruction and has spearheaded a bombing campaign, is running for the first time. Raanan Gissin said: "There is no reason whatsoever we should assist a terrorist organisation on the ballot to gain victory. This would be like letting a Trojan horse into our city. "Israel allowed Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem to vote in Palestinian Authority elections in 1996 and earlier this year when Mahmoud Abbas was elected president.
Hamas: U.S. intervening in PA elections
YNetNews 12/21/2005
Group accuses Bush administration of financing election campaigns of Fatah candidates ahead of Palestinian Authority general elections: ‘This is further proof of American, western involvement in internal Palestinian affairs’ -- Hamas has accused the Bush administration of financing the election campaigns of Fatah candidates ahead of the Palestinian Authority general elections. The organization published a document which it claims shows the head of the American USAID (US Agency for International Development) fundcorresponding with Palestinian parliament member Nabil Amro, thanking him for putting his trust in the fund and adding that he “received his letter regarding the financing of Amro and his associates’ campaign. ”
U.S. senators ask president to push to bar Hamas from polls
Ha''aretz 12/22/2005
Poll: More than 40 percent of Palestinians polled will vote for Hamas -- Seventy U.S. senators on Wednesday called on President George W. Bush to make it clear to Palestinian leaders that Hamas and other groups that the United States wants terrorist organizations to disarm or be banned from upcoming Palestinian elections. The senators in a letter to Bush said the United States "would have little choice but to reevaluate all aspects of our relations" with the Palestinian Authority if Hamas "or such groups" were brought into it.
Israel to bar voting in East Jerusalem
Ha''aretz 12/21/2005
Israel will not enable voting for the Palestinian Authority''s legislative election to take place in East Jerusalem because of Hamas''s participation, senior Israeli officials told Veronique de Keyser, who heads a delegation of European election observers. The officials said this week that because Israel objects to Hamas''s participation in the election, it is therefore not willing to allow voting to take place in sovereign Israeli territory. According to the Oslo Accords, Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem are allowed to vote in PA elections via their local post offices.
Egypt intelligence chief: PA must not cancel parliamentary election
Ha''aretz 12/21/2005
Egypt wants to see Palestinian Authority parliamentary elections held on time, the chief of Egyptian general intelligence, Omar Suleiman, told Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz in a meeting on Wednesday. The poll is slated for January 25, but PA Information Minister Nabil Shaath said earlier Wednesday the Authority might cancel the election if Israel bars voting in East Jerusalem. According to Suleiman, who visited Israel and the PA on Wednesday, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas must use the elections as a platform for change, and not delay or cancel them. [See also: Egypt seeks to delay PA elections]
Palestinian elections threatened
BBC 12/21/2005
January''s Palestinian parliamentary elections have been plunged into crisis after Israel decided to prevent Palestinians in Jerusalem from voting. Israeli prime minister''s spokesman Raanan Gissin told the BBC it was concerned that the Palestinian militant group Hamas might gain power. The Palestinian Authority condemned the decision and said it would cancel the poll if voting in Jerusalem is barred. This election will be only the second since the PA was established in 1995.
Ereikat Calls for Ending Israeli Attempts to Hamper Elections
WAFA 12/20/2005
RAMALLAH, December 20, 2005, (WAFA)- Head of the PLO Negotiations Affairs Department, Dr. Saeb Ereikat, called Tuesday the Quartet Committee and the international community to immediately intervene to end the Israeli measures targeting hampering the Palestinian legislative elections. In an interview with WAFA, Ereikat said he delivered letters to the members of the Quartet and to the UN secretary General, and the concerned parties to end the Israeli attempts of hampering the imminent elections on 25 of January 2006. He added that he reiterated, in his letters, that the Quartet should oblige Israel to facilitate the electoral process in East Jerusalem.
Hamas leader in Syria rejects EU warning to halt aid to PA
Daily Star 12/20/2005
The political leader of Hamas Monday rejected the European Union''s warning to halt aid to the Palestinian Authority if the Palestinian group wins next month''s parliamentary elections but fails to renounce violence. On another front, the central elections commission said that the ruling Fatah faction''s official list of candidates for the upcoming election does not include its jailed West Bank leader Marwan Barghouti.
Hamas dismisses EU threats
AlJazeera 12/19/2005
The political leader of Hamas has rejected the European Union''s warning to halt aid to the Palestinian Authority if the movement wins next month''s parliamentary elections but fails to renounce violence. Khalid Mishaal dismissed the EU''s move as "a flagrant interference" in the Palestinians'' internal affairs and urged the Palestinian Authority not to bow to EU pressure. Javier Solana, the EU foreign policy chief, said on Sunday that European taxpayers would have a hard time supporting the Palestinian Authority if it included a party that supports violence and advocates Israel''s destruction.
EU Joins Israel, US in Punishing Palestinian Democracy
Palestine Media Center 12/19/2005
PNA Is Bullied to Choose between Palestinian In-fighting and Empty Coffers -- Failing even to condemn the five-year old Israeli state terrorism against the Palestinian people, Israel’s re-occupation of the West Bank and the ongoing Israeli extra-judicial killings of Palestinians, the EU joined Israel and the United States in punishing Palestinian emerging democracy by threatening to cut “normal” relations and vital aid to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) unless Hamas disappears from the elections scene.
PNA Rejects US Congressional Resolution as ‘Interference’
Palestine Media Center 12/17/2005
Abu Rudeineh: No Legislative Elections That Exclude Hamas -- Rejecting a US congressional resolution on Friday, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) reconfirmed that the legislative election will be held as scheduled on January 25 with the participation of Hamas, which swept more than 70% of the vote in major constituencies of the forth round of local elections on Thursday, defying the opinion polls.
Japanese Emergency Grant Aid for the PLC Elections
WAFA 12/20/2005
TOKYO, December 20, 2005 (WAFA) - The Government of Japan decided Tuesday to provide emergency grant aid totaling about US$720,000, that is about 77 million yen, to support the fair and smooth implementation of the Palestinian Legislative Council elections, to be held on 25 January next year. In a press release, the Japanese Government said that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is planning to conduct Legislative Council elections on 25 January next year, and its central election committee has recently requested donor cooperation in funding for the elections.
Canadian Government to Deploy Observers to PLC Elections
WAFA 12/20/2005
RAMALLAH, December 20, 2005 (WAFA) - The Government of Canada is preparing to deploy Canadian Observation Mission (COM) to the Palestinian Legislative Elections scheduled for January 25, 2006.. In an official statement issued Tuesday, the Canadian Representative Office in Ramallah said that the mission''s mandate will be to contribute to the conduct of free and fair Elections in West Bank and Gaza and to provide an independent and impartial observation report of the Electoral processes in the region.
The OIC General Secretariat welcomes the position of the European Union regarding the importance of the Palestinian Legislative Elections
ReliefWeb/Organization of the Islamic Conference 12/19/2005
Jeddah, 19 December 2005 - The General Secretariat of the OIC welcomes the stance of the European Union regarding the Middle East peace process, stated at the Declaration which was attached to the Presidency Conclusions of the European Council Meeting held in Brussels on 15-16 December 2005. The General Secretariat of the OIC fully shares with the EU the importance of the elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council and commends its call upon Israel to co-operate fully with the Palestinian authority on these elections.
U.S.: PA may lose aid if Hamas runs in elections
Ha''aretz 12/17/2005
WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed a resolution that conditioned future financial aid to the Palestinian Authority on the exclusion of Hamas from the upcoming parliamentary elections next month. According to the resolution, any Hamas participation in the government of the PA "will potentially undermine the ability of the United States to have a constructive relationship with or provide further assistance to the Palestinian Authority. "In the resolution, passed on a 397-17 vote, the House also urged PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to declare before the election that he intends to dismantle terrorist organizations.
Swedish election observers to Palestinian parliamentary elections
ReliefWeb/Government of Sweden 12/16/2005
The Palestinian parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held on 25 January 2006. The EU will send a team of election observers to monitor the elections. The Government has decided to place ten Swedish election observers at the disposal of the EU team. At the same time, a Swedish statistical expert will be part of the team''s command group.
Minister Khouri Calls for Ensuring Jerusalemites'' Participation in Legislative Election
WAFA 12/16/2005
JERUSALEM, December 16, 2005 (WAFA) - Minister of State for Jerusalem Affairs, Hend Khouri called on the international community to ensure that Jerusalemites will democratically participate in forthcoming legislative elections. During her meeting Friday with foreign diplomats, Khouri stressed the importance of conducting fair and free elections to reach real representation for a government to establish the independent Palestinian State, based on the two-state solution.
Egypt Condemns Israeli Policy of Assasinations
WAFA 12/15/2005
CAIRO, December 15, 2005, (WAFA)-Egypt has strongly condemned the resumption of Israeli policy of assassinations against the Palestinian people. In a press conference held at late hour Wednesday in Cairo, Ahmed Abu Al- Gheit, Egypt Foreign Minister, called on Israel to stop its provocative practices that harm efforts to maintain calm in the Palestinian territories. The Minister confirmed that the resumption of assassinations would neither help building confidence nor improving the security situation and availing better climate for the Palestinian municipal and legislative elections.
Council of Europe President calls on Israel authorities to help Palestinian local elections
ReliefWeb/Council of Europe 12/14/2005
Strasbourg, 14. 12. 2005 - Giovanni Di Stasi, President of the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, today launched an appeal to the Israeli authorities to help to ensure the smooth running of local elections in the Palestinian Territories, scheduled for Thursday 15 December. . . . President Di Stasi called on the Israeli authorities to ensure freedom of movement in the Territories, by not closing checkpoints or creating new ones and by not making the passages at checkpoints difficult.
PNA Denounces Israeli Deliberate Escalation
WAFA 12/13/2005
RAMALLAH, December 13, 2005, (WAFA)- The Palestinian National Authority denounced on Tuesday the Israeli "intentional" escalation led to the killing of two citizens, today, in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Following the Israeli killing of two citizens in Khanyounis and Nablus, Spokesperson of Presidency, Mr. Nabil Abu Rdaina, denounced the Israeli practices including closure. He told WAFA that Israel imposes obstacles to hamper the Palestinian imminent legislative elections on January 25, 2006.
EU holds back report criticizing Israeli activity in East Jerusalem
Ha''aretz 12/13/2005
The European Union on Monday decided against publishing a report on East Jerusalem that is highly critical of Israeli settlement activity and the security barrier Israel is constructing to keep out Palestinian attackers. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who chaired an EU foreign ministers meeting, said publishing the report now was inappropriate as Israel was heading for national elections and the EU does not want "to get embroiled in domestic (Israeli) politics in the run-up to elections. "
Inter-Palestinian Controversy over Truce Heats up
Palestine Media Center 12/12/2005
US Administration, Congress Weigh in on PNA, Hamas -- The ongoing Israeli violations and extra-judicial killings as well as Israel’s political indecision ahead of the upcoming elections in March have put the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and the anti-occupation groups on opposite sides of the argument over the renewal of the truce with the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). Meanwhile the US Administration and Congress are weighing in on both the PNA and the Palestinian anti-occupation factions. . . . The Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas,” the Islamic Jihad, and other anti-occupation factions have already announced that the truce will not be renewed when it ends at the year end, citing as reasons Israel’s ongoing assassinations and refusal to release Palestinian detainees in the jails of the IOF.
Truce dialogue renewal only after legislative elections - Hamas
ReliefWeb 12/12/2005
GAZA, Dec 12, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- A senior Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) official said on Monday that Hamas wouldn''t accept any dialogue on truce with Israel before holding the Palestinian legislative elections on Jan. 25, 2006. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said Hamas has informed Egypt that it prefers to resume the Palestinian national dialogue after the elections. However, Hamas spokesman in Gaza Mushir al-Masri told reporters that his movement is not intending to renew the truce with Israel amid the Israeli aggression.
Abu Rdaina Calls for Protecting Palestinian Democracy from Israeli Practices
WAFA 12/11/2005
GAZA, December 11, 2005, (WAFA)- Spokesperson of Presidency, Nabil Abu Rdaina, called Sunday the Quartet Committee and the international community to protect the Palestinian democracy from the Israeli practices. In a statement issued Sunday night Abu Rdaina called the Quartet Committee and the international community to immediately intervene to end the Israeli atrocious measures against the imminent legislative elections and the whole Palestinian democracy. He reiterated that the latest Israeli practices, target hampering the electoral process and curbing the Palestinian democracy.
A message from Congress to Abbas: It''s time to dismantle Hamas
Ha''aretz 12/9/2005
Rosner''s Blog -- The four members of the House of Representatives said they were sending a clear massage to Mahmoud Abbas (whom they all referred to as Abu Mazen). It took them a while before they mentioned the big M, but finally they did: If you don''t do what you have to do, no more money for the Palestinian Authority. House Resolution 575 will probably pass before the Christmas recess. It states that Hamas and other terrorist groups should not be allowed to participate in the upcoming elections in the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas West Bank chief urges all factions to hold their fire
Ha''aretz 12/7/2005
Hassan Yusif, the jailed head of Hamas in the West Bank, was quoted Wednesday as urging all Palestinian factions as well as Israel to safeguard the brittle calm of recent months. Yusif is a Hamas candidate for Palestinian parliament in elections scheduled for late January. He has often taken the lead in the armed Islamic movement in enunciating positions of relative moderation with respect to Israel. Speaking in prison to an Israel Radio reporter, Yusif was quoted as saying that the taadiya [relative quiet] obligates all Palestinian factions, and that the groups should maintain a unity of positions on the matter.
Carter to monitor PA elections
YNetNews 12/5/2005
Former American President Jimmy Carter set to arrive in region to supervise Palestinian elections in January, ensure democratic, clean process -- Former United States President Jimmy Carter will arrive in the region soon, as head of an American monitors delegation that will supervise elections on January 25 for the Legislative Council in the Palestinian Authority. Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright may join the delegation as well, Israel''s leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday.
Hamas demands Israel stop campaign against its candidates
International Middle East Media Center 12/2/2005
The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, considered the statements of the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon - to arrest the candidates of Hamas to the Palestinian Legislative council if they attempt to cross through Israeli roadblocks - a direct violation sovereignty in which reveals Israeli intentions to target the movement and its candidates. The movement added that these statements reveal the hidden intentions of the Israeli occupation which aims to bar them movement from participating in the elections.
Orthodox Union Chief Decries American Pressure on Israel
Forward 12/2/2005
WASHINGTON — In an unusual ad hominem attack, Orthodox Union President Stephen Savitsky this week criticized the president of the Israel Policy Forum, Seymour Reich, for allegedly urging the Bush administration to pressure Israel into making concessions to the Palestinians. Reich denied having invited American pressure. Savitsky''s criticism came in a November 28 statement calling on American Friends of Israel not to intervene "in Israeli government decisions and in the upcoming Israeli elections." Savitsky also called on American Jews to avoid "lobbying the American government to pressure Israel to make concessions it would not otherwise make."
Sharon: Peace deal priority
AlJazeera 12/2/2005
Confident of victory in March elections, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says he''ll make "every effort" to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians in his third term. Laying out his agenda, Sharon said the world has military options to halt Iran''s nuclear weapons programme, but that diplomacy should remain the first line of defence. Sharon appeared relaxed in a wide-ranging question-and-answer session with Israeli news editors on Thursday, but largely evaded attempts to pin him down on policy details.
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Human
Rights..
In Light of the Lack of Serious Protection for the CEC Offices, PCHR Is Concerned That the PNA May Not Be Able to Hold Free and Fair Elections
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 12/28/2005
Armed groups of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of Fatah movement have stormed offices of the Palestinian Central Election Commission (CEC) in Rafah, Khan Yunis, Deir al-Balah and Gaza City. They forced the CEC staff to leave and close these offices. These attacks have been launched in protest to the way the candidates of Fatah movement for the upcoming parliamentary elections were selected. These latest attacks raise doubts regarding the possibility of holding free and fair elections.
PCHR Calls upon the International Community to Support Holding the Palestinian Parliamentary Elections on Time
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 12/22/2005
PCHR is increasingly concerned over the future of the upcoming Palestinian Parliamentary elections, which are supposed to be held in January 2006, in light of Israeli threats to prevent holding these elections in Jerusalem on one hand, and the deterioration in the Palestinian internal security on the other hand. Israeli media sources reported on Wednesday, 21 December 2005, that Israeli officials informed the Head of the EU Monitoring Team over the Palestinian elections that Israel would not allow holding elections in East Jerusalem due to Hamas'' participation in these elections.
The PNA Is Required to Protect the CEC Offices
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 12/13/2005
Armed groups of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of Fatah movement have stormed offices of the Palestinian Central Election Commission (CEC) in the Gaza Strip and Nablus. They opened fire and ordered the CEC staff to leave and close these offices. These attacks have been launched in protest to the way the candidates of Fatah movement for the upcoming parliamentary elections were selected. The pre-election stage is an integral part of the electoral process, and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is responsible for ensuring protection for all stages of the electoral process.
PCHR Condemns Attack on CEC Office in Deir al-Balah
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights 12/12/2005
An armed group, calling itself the "al-Aqza Martyrs Brigades – al-Yasser Brigade," stormed the office of the Palestinian Central Election Commission (CEC) in Deir al-Balah on Monday morning. The group demanded the staff to close the office, in protest to the way in which candidates of Fatah movement for the Palestinian parliamentary elections were selected.
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People..
PA elections poll: Hamas leading
YNetNews 12/26/2005
Survey shows Hamas would win 31 percent of vote, Abbas-led Fatah only 18 percent -- Hamas would win the upcoming Palestinian elections with 31. 4 percent of the vote were they held today, according to a poll conducted by al-Najah University. The survey also found the new breakaway Fatah faction led by jailed Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti would win 26. 8 percent of the vote, while the Fatah list headed by PA leader Mahmoud Abbas would only reach third place, with 17. 7 percent of the vote.
PCPO: 62.6% of Palestinians Polled are Optimistic on Economic Condition after Elections
WAFA 12/13/2005
BEIT SAHOUR, December 13, 2005 (WAFA)- Director of Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO), Dr. Nabil Kukali said that (62. 6%) are optimistic about the improvement of their economic condition after the upcoming national elections. In a poll, conducted by Kukali and published by Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO) during the period October 15 to November 8, 2005, the finding showed that (73. 4%) of the Palestinian people are at present worried about the livelihood of their families adding that (53. 3%) evaluated their economic condition as "bad"(58. 5%) are from Gaza and (50. 2%) from the West Bank.
Poll Results On Palestinian Attitudes Towards The upcoming legislative elections and other Political Issues (PDF)
MIFTAH/Jerusalem Media and Communication Centre 12/13/2005
Significant Opinion results -- Political affiliation and religious grounds, as bases for choice of candidates in the upcoming PLC elections, rose (32. 6%, 14. 5% respectively compared with 27. 7% and 10. 0% in May 2005) at the expense of personal competence which decreased from 58. 3% in May 2005 to 45. 2% in December 2005. There remains a considerable majority of Palestinians (68. 2%) who want to participate in the upcoming PLC elections although the ratio was higher in May 2005 (75. 1%).
Palestinian poll: 31 percent of voters do not trust election candidates
Ha''aretz 12/14/2005
The latest Palestinian poll, six weeks before parliamentary elections, shows that as of now the winner would be "none of the above. " The negative response came as internal violence called into question whether the vote could be held at all. The poll, released Tuesday by the Jerusalem Media and Communication Center, showed incumbent leader Mahmoud Abbas with the highest rate of trust - just 15. 5 percent. Jailed Fatah young guard leader Marwan Barghouti received 7. 8 percent, followed by Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar with 5. 8 percent.
Opinion poll: Fatah ahead of Hamas
AlJazeera 12/12/2005
The ruling Fatah faction has a strong lead over Hamas six weeks before the Palestinian parliamentary election, a new opinion poll shows. In findings published on Monday, a total of 37% of voters questioned by Bir Zeit university said they would vote for Fatah, against 20% who opted for Hamas while a further 13% said they would cast their ballots for independents or smaller parties. The remaining 30% said they were still undecided how they would vote on 25 January in what will be only the second elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council.
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International..
Economy..
U.S. building "Hamas town"
YNetNews 12/20/2005
American agency contributed money for the construction of roads in village ruled by terror organization -- While the United States House of Representatives passed a resolution calling for a halt in funding to the Palestinians if Hamas wins upcoming parliamentary elections, the U.S. government is currently in the process of funding a Gaza town run by Hamas. The U.S. Agency for International Development, in conjunction with the Islamic Development Bank, reportedly contributed USD 392,000 for construction of roads and public facilities in Bani Suhaila, a Gaza village outside the populated Palestinian city of Khan Yunis.
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