The LA Times reports today that the Palestinian Supreme Court has indefinitely delayed municipal elections scheduled for October in another sign of democracy delayed for the Palestinian people.
The scheduled election would have been the first since legislative elections in 2006 and the subsequent violent coup by Hamas in Gaza in 2007.
The speculation is that Palestinian Authority President Abbas pushed for the delay fearing the Hamas terror group would make electoral gains in the West Bank.
The Palestinian Central Elections Commission said it had stopped preparations for the municipal vote and bemoaned the supreme court’s decision. It said a vote would help heal the internal political rift. In a statement, the commission said that although it respects the court’s decision, the panel “maintains hope for the democratic process, through elections, to be resumed soon,’’
If the people of Palestine wish to elect a group that has housed missiles in a school, or who has summarily executed their fellow citizens that is their choice to make.
Elections should be held.