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Source: http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/3695/israeli-checkpoints-palestinian-elections
Israeli Checkpoints Don't Stop Elections
(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - It is claimed that it is impossible for the Palestinians to hold new elections in the future so long as Israel maintains checkpoints in the West Bank. Yet the Palestinians know that were it not for the continued power struggle between Hamas and Fatah, they would have had free elections several years ago. The Palestinians also know that Israeli checkpoints have nothing to do with restricting freedom of expression and voting. They are fully aware that the checkpoints are there to stop terror attacks and not democracy or reforms. In January 2006, despite Israeli security measures and checkpoints, Palestinians had free and democratic elections for the presidency and parliament, with Hamas winning the parliamentary election. Since then, Palestinians have held different elections for various bodies in the West Bank, including municipalities, university campuses and professional unions. There have never been any complaints from Palestinians about Israeli attempts to obstruct or prevent these elections.