Following the wide boycott of the Israeli occupation’s municipal elections in Jerusalem, the member of Hamas Political Bureau Husam Badran stated the following:

The mass boycott of the Israeli occupation’s municipal elections in Jerusalem proves that the Palestinian people are determined to preserve the Arab and Islamic identity of the holy city and to fight off any Israeli measure that threatens that identity.

Once again, the Palestinian people of Jerusalem prove that their freedom struggle against the occupation and its policies is ongoing.

The initiative launched last night by a group Palestinian youths in Jerusalem to urge the Palestinian people not vote or take part in the Israeli municipal elections reflects the Palestinians’ revolutionary spirit in their struggle against the occupation.

Indeed, Hamas highly praises the calls made by Islamic and national figures to boycott the municipal elections held by the Israeli occupation.

We reiterate that Jerusalem enjoys an Islamic and Palestinian identity because it is the eternal capital of Palestine and a holy place for all Muslims.

Finally, we confirm that all measures taken by the Israeli occupation in Jerusalem to efface its identity constitute violations against the international and humantarian laws.