The Palestinian terror organization Hamas has implied it will end the declared calm, or ‘tahdia,’ if the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) decides on Sunday to postpone the parliamentary elections.
The elections are slated to take place on July 17, and for the first time since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1994, Hamas has decided to take part in the race.
However, the Fatah faction wishes to delay the elections for fear that Hamas will score a victory.
Hamas officials have said that if the elections are postponed, the organization will have to reconsider its declared cease-fire with Israel.
On Sunday the PLC, the Palestinians parliament, is expected to vote for enabling legislation that will set the election for July. But some legislators say parliament members are in dispute over the new election law Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas proposed and they doubt the bill will pass by Sunday. In this case, there will not be enough time to coordinate balloting for July and the elections might be postponed.
‘Abbas said the elections will take place as scheduled.
However, Palestinian Information Minister Nabil Sha’ath said the elections should be postponed until after Israel pulls out of Gaza, Israel Radio reported, since the pullout may disrupt the elections.