‘Israel will not prevent elections from taking place in the Palestinian Authority’

In a meeting with European ambassadors, the Israeloi foreign ministry political director reminded those present of the EU mission’s remarks regarding the importance of meeting the Quartet Principles, and the problematic nature of the terrorist organization Hamas’ participation in the Palestinian Authority elections. The Quartet – made up of the US, UN, EU and Russia – has set criteria in the past for Palestinian election candidates, stating that they must abandon violence, recognize Israel and recognize agreements signed between the PLO and Israel. The Biden administration reaffirmed its commitment to those conditions last week, writes Yossi Lempkowicz.

“Israel will not prevent elections from taking place in the Palestinian Authority. Hamas’ strengthening in the elections, and the impact of this on security stability, is concerning,’’ said Alon Bar, the Israeli foreign ministry’s political director, during meeting Tuesday in Jerusalem with European ambassadors to discuss the elections planned in the Palestinian Authority. Ambassadors from the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Ireland and others have stressed “the importance of democratic elections in the Palestinian Territories to strengthen political participation and accountability as well as democratic checks and balances”.

During the meeting, Alon Bar emphasized to the ambassadors that the elections in the Palestinian Authority are an internal Palestinian issue, and that Israel has no intention of intervening in them nor preventing them. He reminded those present of the EU mission’s remarks to the U.N. Security Council last week particularly the importance of meeting the Quartet Principles, and the problematic nature of the terrorist organization Hamas’ participation in the Palestinian Authority elections.

The Quartet – made up of the US, UN, EU and Russia – has set criteria in the past for Palestinian election candidates, stating that they must abandon violence, recognize Israel and recognize agreements signed between the PLO and Israel. The Biden administration reaffirmed its commitment to those conditions last week. ‘’The United States and other key partners have long been clear that participants in the democratic process must accept previous agreements, renounce violence and terrorism, and recognize Israel’s right to exist,’’ the U.S. representative said during the Security Council debate.

“Hamas is involved in the escalation in violence in Jerusalem and shooting rockets from Gaza at Israeli civilians,” Bar told the EU countries ambassadors. He reminded those present of Hamas’ role in encouraging increased violence in Jerusalem, as well as the firing rockets from Gaza at Israeli civilians. He warned of the possibility of Hamas’ strengthening in Judea and Samaria and the implications this could have on the ground for security stability in the region, the promotion of civilian projects in Palestinian Authority areas, as well as attempts to advance contact between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

At the end of the meeting, Bar emphasized that Israel is acting cautiously and responsibly to prevent the situation on the ground from deteriorating, and expects that the European countries will act in the same manner.

Share this article: