Hamas, whose terrorists have murdered hundreds of Israelis in recent years, has done well in local PA elections, and is planning to try its hand for the first time in general elections. It is expected to do well.
"We will never agree that this armed terrorist organization will participate in the elections," Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told a group of U.S. journalists back in September. He further said that if Hamas is allowed to participate, Israel will not lift roadblocks or take other measures to ease Palestinian elections.
"I don't see how they can have elections without our help," Sharon said at the time. "We will make every effort not to help them in their elections."
The elections are scheduled for this coming Wednesday. Despite Sharon's threats, which Israel later downgraded, the police and IDF have received instructions from the government not to enter or act in PA-populated cities and villages. This means that wanted terrorists will not be arrested in the coming days. Under normal conditions, security forces frequently arrest ten, and sometimes much more, wanted terrorists per night in routine activity in Judea and Samaria.
"Ticking time-bombs," i.e., terrorists on their way to carry out an attack, will be an exception to the rule, and will be arrested upon receipt of intelligence information. In addition, if intelligence is received regarding the smuggling of weapons or explosives to a polling place, then by order of the IDF Commander of the Central Command, forces will carry out a search of the site - even of the ballot boxes.
Official control of the balloting areas will be transferred from the IDF to the PA's security forces. The PA itself, concerned about the possibility of live-fire violence in and around the balloting areas, reached an agreement with Hamas forbidding the bearing of arms in these areas.
Of even greater concern is the fear that Islamic Jihad, which is not taking part in the elections, will try to carry out a massive terrorist attack.
A last-minute poll carried out by the PCPO (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion) indicates that PA Chairman Abbas' Fatah party will receive 40% of the vote, Hamas - 29%, and Marwan Barghouti's party - 7.7%. Barghouti is serving several life sentences in Israeli prison for murder of at least five people.
"We will never agree that this armed terrorist organization will participate in the elections," Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told a group of U.S. journalists back in September. He further said that if Hamas is allowed to participate, Israel will not lift roadblocks or take other measures to ease Palestinian elections.
"I don't see how they can have elections without our help," Sharon said at the time. "We will make every effort not to help them in their elections."
The elections are scheduled for this coming Wednesday. Despite Sharon's threats, which Israel later downgraded, the police and IDF have received instructions from the government not to enter or act in PA-populated cities and villages. This means that wanted terrorists will not be arrested in the coming days. Under normal conditions, security forces frequently arrest ten, and sometimes much more, wanted terrorists per night in routine activity in Judea and Samaria.
"Ticking time-bombs," i.e., terrorists on their way to carry out an attack, will be an exception to the rule, and will be arrested upon receipt of intelligence information. In addition, if intelligence is received regarding the smuggling of weapons or explosives to a polling place, then by order of the IDF Commander of the Central Command, forces will carry out a search of the site - even of the ballot boxes.
Official control of the balloting areas will be transferred from the IDF to the PA's security forces. The PA itself, concerned about the possibility of live-fire violence in and around the balloting areas, reached an agreement with Hamas forbidding the bearing of arms in these areas.
Of even greater concern is the fear that Islamic Jihad, which is not taking part in the elections, will try to carry out a massive terrorist attack.
A last-minute poll carried out by the PCPO (Palestinian Center for Public Opinion) indicates that PA Chairman Abbas' Fatah party will receive 40% of the vote, Hamas - 29%, and Marwan Barghouti's party - 7.7%. Barghouti is serving several life sentences in Israeli prison for murder of at least five people.