PA demands Israel to allow terrorist prisoners to run in PA elections, reveals Palestinian official
Video posted on the official Fatah Facebook page; the video is an interview with Fatah Central Committee member and Head of Civil Affairs in the PA Hussein Al-Sheikh on the Hebron radio station Al-Alam
Al-Alam radio host: “[Regarding PA] elections without Jerusalem – what will happen if Israel refuses to hold these elections in Jerusalem?”
Fatah Central Committee member and Head of Civil Affairs in the PA Hussein Al-Sheikh: “We still hold the same position. It is not a slogan, but rather a clear and strategic position. Under no circumstances will we agree to hold these elections without there beingparticipation in representation and submitting candidacy- in other words, in voting and submitting candidacy.”
Host: “Yes. To be honest, we understood that the response will be after the Israeli elections. Have you contacted the Israeli side regarding this matter in particular and what was the nature of the response?”
Hussein Al-Sheikh: “Yes. There is an official letter that we addressed to the Israeli side. According to the agreements, we informed them that the Palestinian National Authority is going to hold presidential and parliamentary elections, and we are waiting for a response. This is similar to what occurred previously in 1996, 2005, and 2006. [As for] the Israeli response, as of this moment [there is none, and] there will be no response before the Israeli elections and the formation of a new government in Israel.”
Host: “If so, what will happen if after the Israeli elections Israel says that it rejects having these elections held in Jerusalem? What are our options?”
Hussein Al-Sheikh: “I think that the Palestinian decision is absolute, and Israel has no right to refuse to hold internal Palestinian elections. There is absolutely nothing that gives Israel authority for this.”
Host: “You have asked Israel to let the prisoners vote. Is there progress on the issue?”
Hussein Al-Sheikh: “Unfortunately on this issue as well we have not received any response from the Israeli side, and we are still insisting on our request. These are Palestinian citizens who are in the Israeli occupation’s prisons by force, and it is their right to realize their civic duty – to vote and to submit their candidacy for the elections.”
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Host: “[Give] an answer of just ‘possible’ or ‘impossible’ – cancelling the elections?”
Hussein Al-Sheikh: “Impossible!”
Host: “Blocking the crisis with [recently dismissed Fatah Central Committee member Nasser] Al-Qidwa?”
Hussein Al-Sheikh: “We’re past that.”
Host: “Reconciliation with [former Fatah leader Muhammad] Dahlan?”
Hussein Al-Sheikh: “Impossible.”
Host: “Forming a government without Hamas?”
Hussein Al-Sheikh: “Impossible.”
Host: “Separating other members of the Fatah Movement who are liable to form [election] lists or join other lists?”
Hussein Al-Sheikh: “Everyone who leaves Fatah is outside of it – possible.”
Host: “Marwan Barghouti (i.e., terrorist, orchestrated three attacks in which 5 were murdered) dealing with an identical fate to that of Nasser Al-Qidwa in the presidential elections?”
Hussein Al-Sheikh: “Completely impossible, because I trust my brother Marwan.”
Host: “He is liable to disagree about that.”
Hussein Al-Sheikh: “I doubt that, since I know Marwan very well.”