On Israel's interference in Palestinians' democratic elections

In the course of the Palestinian preparations for the next legislative elections, the Palestinian Authority renewed rejection to pressure made by Israel to prevent Hamas from participating in the legislative elections due on January 25th, 2006.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Oreikat said that he called on Israel during his talks with Shimon Peres, the Israeli deputy prime minister, not to interfere in the elections because "it is an internal Palestinian matter." He explained that Peres promised to answer these demands within days.

The Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon threatened in September that Israel would suspend its cooperation in facilitating the elections in the West Bank in case Hamas takes part in it.