Israeli troops to withdraw during Palestinian election

Israeli troops will withdraw from Palestinian cities and towns for 72 hours during next month’s Palestinian presidential election, the Israeli defence minister said today.

Israel has said in the past it would allow the election for Palestinian Authority president to go smoothly.

Today’s comments by Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz marked the first time Israel provided details on troop deployment during the vote.

The Palestinians want Israeli troops to withdraw from Palestinian towns well before the January 9 vote, and to stay out.

“We will leave the Palestinian cities for a period of about 72 hours, that is the day before, the day of and the day after the election,” Mofaz said today.