Israel yesterday conceded that the Arab residents of east Jerusalem shall vote in this month’s Palestinian election but said ‘under no circumstances’ would it permit campaigning by resistance group Hamas.
Acting prime minister, Ehud Olmert, formally submitted the proposals to the Israeli cabinet at its second meeting since prime minister Sharon suffered a massive stroke 11 days ago.
In comments broadcast by Israeli radio, Olmert told the meeting: ‘I propose to the cabinet that the election in east Jerusalem be conducted on the same basis as in 1996 and 2005.’
Palestinians living in east Jerusalem, occupied and then annexed by Israel in 1967, were able to vote in post offices during the last parliamentary elections a decade ago, and in last January’s presidential election.
However, Olmert added: ‘Under no circumstances will we permit Hamas to enter Jerusalem and carry out electioneering.’
Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that US Ambassador John Bolton had protested to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on his attendance at the latest International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, held last November 29.
In a letter dated January 3rd, Bolton had also complained about the display of a map of pre-1948 Palestine.
Bolton wrote: ‘It was entirely inappropriate for this map to be used. It can be misconstrued to suggest that the United Nations tacitly supports the abolition of the state of Israel.’
In a reference to remarks by the Iranian president, he added: ‘Given that we now have a world leader pursuing nuclear weapons who is calling for the state of Israel to be “wiped off the map”, the issue has even greater salience.’
