RAMALLAH, Thursday, December 26, 2019 (WAFA) – Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudainah decried today calls by some parties on President Mahmoud Abbas to issue a decree on holding legislative and presidential elections, irrespective of whether Israel would allow voting in occupied Jerusalem, the city Palestinians consider as capital of their de jure state.

"The call by some [parties] for holding elections away from Jerusalem is an attempt to relinquish one of the Palestinian national constants and a sign of support for the Israeli occupation that is trying to Judaize the holy city," Abu Rudainah said in a statement.

He reiterated the firm position of the leadership and President Mahmoud Abbas that no elections can be held without Jerusalem, regardless of any other pressure. "We will not give the [Israeli] occupation the opportunity to impose a fait accompli policy, and we will continue our joint efforts with international parties to pressure Israel to agree to the candidacy and election of our Palestinian people in Jerusalem in the upcoming elections".

He continued, "Jerusalem may not in any way be part of any ceasefire understandings that could undermine the independent national decision. This might impose a mysterious situation that does not serve the national identity."

Meanwhile, the presidential spokesman condemned attempts by an Israeli settler to break into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and threaten the worshippers. He blamed the Israeli government responsible for this act.

"The act of threatening comes is in line with the Israeli government‘s policy against Christian and Muslim religious sites in Jerusalem by allowing settlers to storm them and threaten the believers there".

M.N