Uncertainty clouds Palestinian election

CAMPAIGNING began yesterday for a Palestinian legislative election clouded by speculation that President Mahmoud Abbas, mired in conflict with Israel and facing a challenge from rival Islamists, could delay voting.

Mr Abbas's ruling Fatah faction kicked off its campaign at Yasser Arafat's grave, as rival Hamas vowed to root out corruption and an independent candidate squared off in Arab East Jerusalem with Israeli police under orders to ban electioneering in the city at the heart of the Middle East conflict.

The January 25 vote is widely seen as a referendum on Mr Abbas's rule following Israel's Gaza pullout last year, which raised hopes of ending fighting and of founding a Palestinian state.

But surging chaos in Gaza, and diplomatic deadlock over Israel's designs on the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, have sapped support for Fatah, which has been dogged by allegations of corruption.

With Fatah divided between veteran members and a young guard vying for influence and support high for Hamas - a militant group dedicated to Israel's destruction - Mr Abbas has come under pressure within his faction to delay the election.

Mr Abbas raised the possibility on Monday, citing expectations Israel would bar voting in East Jerusalem, which it annexed in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians want East Jerusalem as capital of a state they hope to build in the West Bank and Gaza.

Surrounded by news photographers, independent candidate Hanan Ashrawi stood on an East Jerusalem street holding a banner bearing the name of her Third Way party.

Israeli police officers pulled the banner from her hand, enforcing a ban on Palestinian campaigning in the city.

Israeli government officials, who have voiced concern Israel could be blamed internationally for hindering Palestinian democracy if the election were delayed, said no final decision had been made on whether to permit voting in East Jerusalem.

In Gaza, clothing store owner Mohammed Zaki gave voice to public doubts the election would go ahead.

"Everybody is afraid of Hamas winning - Israel, America and many Palestinians too," he said.