Palestine Mufti: Voting in Jerusalem municipality’s election ‘haram’

Palestine High Fatwa Council yesterday called for Palestinians not to take part in the Jerusalem Municipality elections which will be held soon, Quds Press reported.

In a statement, the council announced a religious edict, fatwa, stating that participation in the Israeli elections in the holy city, whether as nominees or voters, is haram.

The reason for this fatwa, the council said, is that the Israeli municipality in Jerusalem reduces the services it offers Palestinian residents and imposes high taxes on them.

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According to the council, participation in the elections reinforces the plans and policies of the Israeli occupation which has been working to reinforce its domination of the city, including its plans to Judaise it and change its historic and religious façade.

The council had previously called on Palestinians not to vote in Israeli elections to maintain the status of Jerusalem as an occupied city in violation of international and humanitarian conventions.