Palestinian president announces first elections in 15 years - The Jewish Chronicle

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has announced the first parliamentary and presidential elections in 15 years.

A decree issued by the Palestinian Authority (PA) said legislative elections in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem would take place on May 22 with a presidential vote on July 31.

Hamas issued a statement saying they welcomed the announcement. “We have worked in the past months to resolve all obstacles so that we can reach this day,” it said.

The statement called for fair elections in which “electorates can express their will without restrictions or pressures”.

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