What’s behind Abbas’ demand for voting stations in Jerusalem?
The insistence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Israel enabling East Jerusalem residents to vote in the upcoming Palestinian elections might hide his fear of a Hamas victory.
This time, it appears serious. On Dec. 10, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced that all Palestinian factions had agreed to hold elections for the Palestinian presidency and legislative council. The voting will likely take place in February 2020. Abbas has yet to issue a presidential elections decree, but the Palestinian Authority (PA) has already formally asked Israel to allow residents of East Jerusalem to participate in the elections. Israeli officials confirmed they had received the request, saying the diplomacy-security Cabinet would discuss it, probably next week.
Will Abbas keep his promise and for the first time in 13 years hold democratic elections for the presidency and parliament, even though these could result in defeat and an end to his rule? Let us not forget that in 2006, the last time elections were held, Abbas’ Fatah movement was vanquished by the rival Hamas organization.
