PA PM: “Holding the [Palestinian] elections in Jerusalem is a national and political priority”

Headline: “Shtayyeh: We demand international pressure to guarantee that elections will take place in Jerusalem”

“[PA] Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh demanded to apply international pressure on Israel in order to guarantee that Palestinian elections will take place in Jerusalem,after all of the international impediments have been removed, and after all of the organizations have agreed [that elections be held].

He said this yesterday (Tuesday) [Dec. 10, 2019] during his meeting with Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department in the British Foreign Ministry Stephanie Al-Qaq, in the presence of the British Consul General in Jerusalem Phillip Hall.

The prime minister said: ‘We cannot agree to any situation in which they [Israel] will prevent holding the elections in Jerusalem, as in all of the Palestinian cities and districts. Holding the elections in Jerusalem is a national and political priority, and their not being held means perpetuating the separation [of Jerusalem] from the rest of the Palestinian components.’

He emphasized: ‘There is a true and serious political will on the part of the Palestinian leadership, led by [PA] President Mahmoud Abbas, to hold the elections for the [PA] Parliament (Legislative Council) and the presidency. We have asked a number of international parties to intervene in order to pressure Israel to agree to the elections being held in the occupied city.’”