Israel 'will do everything' to ensure Palestinian elections

Israel will do “everything in its power” to enable Palestinian elections to take place, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said today, after meeting with outgoing US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The Palestinians have said Israel must withdrew troops from West Bank towns so the January 9 presidential elections can be held.

Shalom did not refer specifically to a troop withdrawal, but said the Palestinians would have “freedom of movement” in the run-up to the vote. He said arrangements would be co-ordinated with the Palestinians.

Israel had reoccupied most West Bank towns in a 2002 military offensive aimed at stopping Palestinian suicide bombings in Israel. Troops have since withdrawn from some areas, but continue to enforce tight travel restrictions on Palestinians.

Shalom said that “the first priority is the Palestinian election, which will hopefully bring about a Palestinian leadership that we will be able to sit down with”.

“I have reassured the secretary today that Israel will do everything in its power to ensure the elections will go ahead as planned.”