Israel is warning Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas against running on a joint list with Hamas in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The director of Israel’s domestic security service, the Shin Bet, gave the warning against creating a power-sharing government with Hamas after the elections.
According to analysts, the Israeli security establishment is very concerned that the May 22elections, could lead to a Hamas takeover in the West Bank as happened in Gaza after the previous elections, in 2006.
Israeli officials clarified that Abbas was not asked to cancel the vote, but that he was warned that certain results, or instance a Hamas victory or a power-sharing government, could create a deep rift with Israel.
Meanwhile, Israeli sources say officials from the Biden administration have been sending supportive messages about the elections.
A poll released on Tuesday by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research showed that overwhelming majorities of Palestinians favor holding the elections and believe they will take place.
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