Hamas vehemently condemns the Israeli detention of three Palestinian candidates for the parliamentary elections as they were preparing for press conference in Jerusalem.

The candidates are Ashraf Al-Aqar and Naser Qaws from Fatah and Rateeba Al-Natsha from Fida.

We confirm that the Israeli detention of the candidates is a flagrant violation against the Palestinian people and their right to run for the election. This demeanour indicates that the Israeli occupation is irritated by the Palestinians iron will to take part in the democratic process planned for the coming months.

Defying the Israeli practices to sabotage the Palestinian elections, Hamas calls on the Palestinian people to head firmly to the legislative elections and hold it in due time, especially in Jerusalem.

The Israeli occupation wants to shatter the Palestinian unity by such arrests, but we should adhere to the elections, on one hand, and face off its plans to sabotage the vote on the other hand.

The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas

5 Ramadan 1442

17 April 2021