RAMALLAH, 7 April, 2021 (TON): Israel has been accused of interfering in 22 May legislative polls.

The accusations were led by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas-led Fatah party and the Islamic Hamas movement.

The member of the Fatah Central Committee, Jamal Muheisen said, "Israel arrested on Tuesday morning four candidates who are on Fatah electoral list from East Jerusalem shortly before holding a meeting to discuss preparing their campaign for running in the legislative elections."

"Israel is banning all kinds of activities in East Jerusalem that are related to the Palestinian elections, mainly holding rallies and meetings in the city," he added.

Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Fawzi Barhoum said, "Arresting one of our candidates is a blatant interference in the Palestinian elections and reflects the endless Israeli attempts to sabotage the electoral process."

He called on the international community and the international human rights organizations to immediately act to protect the Palestinian electoral process and put an end to the Israeli measures and violations against the Palestinians.

Moreover, Palestine has also addressed letters to international parties, urging them to exert pressure on Israel to allow holding the Palestinian elections in East Jerusalem.