Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said today the US government had assured him that voting in a January 25th legislative poll would be allowed in East Jerusalem, despite Israel's objection to Hamas participating.
"Today I received American assurances that the campaigning and the elections will take place in Jerusalem," he told reporters in Gaza, without elaborating. There was no immediate comment from US and Israeli officials.
Earlier today, Israel said it would allow candidates who were not members of militant groups to campaign in East Jerusalem, but added there had not been a decision yet on whether to allow voting to proceed there.
Palestinian leaders have said the election will have to be delayed if voting is banned in East Jerusalem.
