A Palestinian official has claimed that European countries have refused to commit to allowing Israel to hold elections in the East Sea • PA refuses to hold elections without voting

• Abu Mazen // Photo: AFP

The secretary-general of the PLO's Executive Committee, Dr. Saib Erekat, revealed on Saturday that European countries have refused to publish a pledge that Israel will not delay the Palestinian elections in Jerusalem. Remember, this is a condition that Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen has posted The presidential order to hold elections.

Abbas in the UN: "If Israel annexes territories - we will abolish all agreements" // Photo: Reuters

Speaking on Radio Kol Palestine, Erekat made it clear that there would be no elections without a vote in Jerusalem, and that the publication of the presidential order prior to approval to hold a voting process in the city would eventually lead to the repeal of the order if Israel refuses the process. Such a situation, the Palestinian official claimed, is a disaster.

Despite this, Erekat said in an interview that efforts are underway with the international community to hold the elections in Jerusalem. Nevertheless, the direction in Israel seems to be to ignore recent requests from the PA.

As part of the discussions on the Palestinian elections, Abu Mazen demanded two key conditions: the separation of the election dates for the Legislative Council and the office of the PA chairman, and the elections in Jerusalem. In the past, residents of the eastern city simply voted at external polls. Avoid elections, in which Hamas may regain legitimacy in the West Bank.