Israel did not respond to Palestine's request to hold elections in Jerusalem, according to a Palestinian Authority (PA) source.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the source said that the PA does not expect a response before the formation of the new cabinet in Israel, or before the results of the election.
He also confirmed that several regional and European countries had vowed to pressure Israel to allow Palestinians living in Jerusalem to take part in the elections.
Jerusalemites participated in the 2005 presidential elections and 2006 legislative elections, after which Israel prevented them from participating in polls.
The Central Election Commission (CEC), which is banned from operating in Jerusalem, has prepared plans to allow Jerusalemites to take part in the upcoming ballots.
The Executive Director of the Committee, Hisham Kahil, said that the Palestinian factions stressed in their Cairo meeting the need to hold the elections in the occupied capital.
Kahil told a local radio station that the committee can’t open polling stations in Jerusalem because of Israel, instead Palestinians will be able to cast votes at the six post offices available in the city.
He also said that 15 centers have been set for Palestinians to register and vote on the same day, stressing that the electoral process will not be affected.
Earlier, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin claimed during his meeting with senior officials in Germany that Tel Aviv had not received any Palestinian request regarding elections in Jerusalem.
According to Israel’s Channel 7, Rivlin told German officials that Tel Aviv wants to help Palestinians hold the elections, asserting that it will not intervene despite the risks of Hamas winning and taking control over institutions.
Notably, the Oslo Agreement signed between the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and Tel Aviv obliges Israel to allow Jerusalemites to participate in the Palestinian elections.
Article VI of the agreement stipulates that voting will take place in East Jerusalem at offices affiliated with the Israel Postal Authority.
For the first time in 15 years, Palestinians plan to hold the legislative elections on May 22 to elect 132 deputies, while the presidential polls are set for July 31.
Elections for the National Council, which has a special system, will be held on August 31.
